Lhamo Weston, an 18-year-old powerlifter from Redditch, won two gold medals and a bronze at the World Sub-Junior & Junior Powerlifting Championships in South Africa last month. Despite a flare-up of her endometriosis, which caused severe pain and weight issues, she managed to stand on the podium in the Under 57kg category. Weston, who took up powerlifting three years ago after being inspired by her brother, now uses social media to speak openly about her condition and encourage others.

Weston competed in three events, securing golds in squat and deadlift, and a bronze in bench press. She described the experience as 'incredible' but admitted the pain from her endometriosis made the competition challenging. 'It led to excruciating amounts of pain and a lot of issues again with making weight, which really affected me leading into comp,' she said. Endometriosis, a condition where tissue similar to the womb lining grows outside the womb, affects one in 10 women in the UK, but she noted there is a lack of awareness about its impact.

Weston, who was diagnosed with endometriosis last year, emphasized the need for more awareness. 'There's not enough awareness about it and how it actually impacts women and girls,' she said. 'I've been dealing with endometroidosis since I was 12, and I only got diagnosed last year. It was a very long journey and I just think there needs to be more awareness so we can try and find solutions to help other people.'

Weston trains at Elite Fitness gym in Redditch, even though she recently moved to Worcester. Sam Pope, who works at the gym, praised her as an inspiration. 'For other young people of her age, it just shows that actually if you put the effort in, the reward is there,' he said. 'We take pride knowing we house her here as a member because we are very much like a family. To have her as a role model is very important because it does allow others to think 'I can do this as well' and I think that's very important not just at our gym but every gym as well.'

Weston's achievements highlight the inclusivity of powerlifting and the importance of support systems. Her story serves as an example of perseverance and the value of community in sports. As she continues to compete, she remains committed to raising awareness about endometriosis and encouraging others to pursue their passions regardless of challenges.