Moray teacher becomes powerlifting champion in Istanbul after smashing Scottish bench press record
A teacher who swapped the classroom for an arena in Istanbul this month has become a European powerlifting champion.
Graeme Reid travelled to Turkey to take on some of the best powerlifters from across the continent at the IPF European Championships on August 8.
Graeme, who stays in Findochty but works in Elgin as a teacher, was a late selection for the British team after catching the eye of coaches during an event in Nottingham in June.
The 45-year-old made the most of the opportunity by shattering his own Scottish bench press record not once but twice, lifting an incredible 230kg followed by 240kg.
That was enough to secure the title beating German world champion and favourite Rene Gross in the process.
“I’ve been absent from the British team for a year and this was my first ever European championship,” Graeme said.
“It was a massive boost because I went out there thinking if I have a really good day then I can possibly get third.
“I was up against a two-time world champion in Rene and I sort of joked with my coach the night before that I was going to beat him.
“I don't tend to cry an awful lot but I shed a few tears. I couldn't believe what was happening when I found out that I had actually won.
“Rene was one of the first people to come over and congratulate me as well so there is a real respect there.
“Some of these other lifters are just phenomenal so I needed them to have a wee blip and I needed to perform out of my skin.
“To put it in football terms, it was a bit like Scotland taking on the mighty Brazil.”
Graeme was late to powerlifting having taken the sport up at the age of 39 after a friend recommended he try it.
He has since gone from strength to strength representing his country in commonwealth championships and two world championships.
He even won gold for Great Britain at the World Single Lift Championships in 2023.
But his drive to succeed has never faltered and his preparations for the European championships were as comprehensive as they have ever been.
From a “clean” diet that included eating lobster and raw steak regularly, taking up yoga to compliment his training and travelling to Spain to acclimatise to hot weather, the Moray strongman was determined to leave no stone unturned.
However, he attributes his latest success, which he describes as his biggest title to date, to a change in mentality.
“We’ve been using this South African philosophy called Ubuntu which basically means our greatness raises each other up,” Graeme said.
“I’m only alone when I’m on the bench so adopting that mentality during squad sessions has been really helpful.
“I was just thinking about key messages beforehand because I’ve been doing some reading into sports psychology as well.
“I don’t actually remember the lifts really.
“I didn’t even know what the scores were because I was being kept in this black area away from all of that and just focusing on me.
“The performance director from Great Britain told me I was in the lead and I just thought he was joking.
“I think not knowing was really helpful.”
Graeme has now returned to his day job as a teacher with the Moray Social, Emotional and Behavioural Needs team.
Pupils have been blown away by their teacher’s “crazy” exploits but some aren’t impressed.
“Some of them think they can beat me,” Graeme said.
“We have had good fun with that but a lot of them are really interested in it as well.
“They’ve seen videos of me lifting and things like that and I’ve had former pupils get in touch on social media and things like that congratulating me as well.
“I really appreciate that. As much as this all takes a huge amount of commitment and discipline, I am a teacher at the end of the day so it’s great that they’ve been so supportive.”
After a strenuous few months and with the school term back in full flow, Graeme could be forgiven for taking some time off.
But the Moray strongman has already started his next training block and has fresh goals in mind.
He added: “My next event is in Nottingham in November and I’ve qualified for the British championships as well.
“That’s my real focus but I want to lift 250kg. Once I get that then it will 260kg.
“This has given me a real hunger to keep doing well but I’m keen to help other people as well.
“People in Elgin and Moray have been so encouraging so if I can give a wee bit back then I’m here if they want to get involved.”
