Despite struggling with injury Matt Saunders retained his WDFPF World Powerlifting Championship title at the weekend.The competition came at the end of turbulent year for Great Yarmouth-based Saunders who underwent surgery for a bad shoulder injury in August.

Despite struggling with injury Matt Saunders retained his WDFPF World Powerlifting Championship title at the weekend.

The competition came at the end of turbulent year for Great Yarmouth-based Saunders who underwent surgery for a bad shoulder injury in August.

The world record holder had to go through the pain barrier.

Saunders cemented his position as best pound for pound lifter in the world for a record sixth time with a 305Kg squat, 210Kg bench press and 310Kg deadlift.

Despite achieving only one deadlift, it was enough for Saunders to win both his class and the overall title, narrowly beating a very talented Russian athlete.

Now looking forward to a couple of months away from heavy training, Saunders will decide in the New Year whether to compete for a 14th consecutive world title next November.

He said: “It was touch and go whether I competed at all. However, although I knew my lifts were going to be down on what they usually are, I was not prepared to give my title away without a fight.

“As ever, I would like to say a special thanks to my friends and family, especially my wife Claire and sons Oliver and Joshua who put up with my constant moaning about my aches and pains.

“Also a massive thanks to my coach Scott and Dean and all the staff at Top Body Gym in Gorleston who have supported and sponsored me for the last 10 years.”