A REMARKABLE octogenarian strongman from Greenock is gearing up for a record-breaking year in a bid to prove that age is only a number.

Local lifter George Byng hopes to claim a powerlifting world record at the World Single Lift Championships in Amsterdam this May.

The 87-year-old, who is a former Commonwealth Games athlete, already holds a trio of records in the Olympic lifting discipline and is aiming to add a powerlifting benchmark to his accomplishments.

He plans to compete in the 75-kilogram bodyweight class in the 85-89 age group at the tournament, which is being held between May 31 and June 2.

Greenock Telegraph: An octogenarian strongman is gearing up for a record-breaking year in a bid to prove that age is

George believes that his accolades prove that life doesn’t have to stop after retirement and hopes his continuing success can inspire others.

He said: “It’s hard to keep up this level of competition, but luckily my health is still good despite being knocked recently by a bad chest and head cold.

“All you can do is fight your way through, there’s no other way to get results besides doing the work.

“I’ve got three world records on Olympic lifts which I did in Florida in 2022, but this would give me the opportunity to do a powerlifting record as well.

“That would be a bit unusual as you don’t get many people who lift in both disciplines.

“I think this shows that for older people, if you can keep yourself in reasonably good nick, you can accomplish quite a lot even into your 80s and 90s.

“Some people’s journeys may conclude at 65 but that’s not the end of your life, you can still keep going and achieving things.”

George is also hoping to take part in the national single lift championships, which are taking place at Horncastle in Lincolnshire on March 2.

The weightlifter says that training with other like-minded athletes and meeting them at events had also contributed to the longevity of his career.

He said: “It’s important to train with people of a similar mindset, I train with people in the Strength Shed and I find the atmosphere in here is very good and is conducive to a good mindset.

“All of us go through the aging process but it’s just something else you can overcome, it’s something you can delay by looking after yourself.”