This 78-year-old powerlifting grandma is an inspiration to everyone

She's a world champion in two separate weight categories

Footage has emerged of a 78-year-old powerlifter from the United States hitting a squat almost double her entire bodyweight. The septuagenarian is a world champion in her weight class and can squat 350 pounds. What's more, she has only been competing regularly since 2007. In a video posted to the Powerlifting Legends Instagram account, Nora Langdon can be seen hitting an impeccable squat with 350 pounds (159 kilograms) on her back. That's pretty good going for most people, not least someone pushing 80 years of age. https://www.instagram.com/p/CKUu0gRIa7J/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link As the caption indicates, this squat isn't even her best. Her 1RM (one repetition max) in competition is a mind-blowing 413 pounds (187kg), a record set two years ago at the age of 76. Langdon only began competing in 2007. When most people her age would be reaching for their pipe and slippers, Langdon instead looked for her weightlifting chalk and headed into the gym instead. She has competed in 22 powerlifting competitions since her first attempt 14 years ago. She has won 20 of those 22 competitions, setting a hugely impressive 19 world records in the process. Her world records also encompass two separate weight classes. According to FitnessVolt, her best lifts are:

• Squat: 187.5kg (413.4 pounds)
• Bench Press: 92.5kg (203.9 pounds)
• Deadlift: 167.5kg (369.3lb)
• Total: 445kg (981.1lb)

The coronavirus pandemic has hampered how many competitions she has been able to enter over the past year or so. However, in her most recent competition, Langdon bench pressed 159.8lb (72.5kg) at the 2020 American Powerlifting Federation (APF) Michigan State Meet. In 2020, JOE spoke to Ernie Perreault, a 99-year-old fitness fanatic who lives in Boulder, Colorado. https://twitter.com/JOE_co_uk/status/1281272847021809664?s=20 Ernie took up lifting at the age of 85 following the death of his wife. He continues to train to this day, though Covid-19 has also restricted how much time he has been able to spend in the gym lately.