Athlete Profile: Gwen Marsden

Name

Gwen Marsden

Course and Year of Study

Biomedical Sciences - Neuroscience (3rd Year)

College

St Anne's

Sport

Powerlifting

Club

Oxford University Powerlifting Club

Highest Competitive Level

Represented GB Internationally

Best Achievement

 IPF Junior Worlds 2024: 43kg world champion. World records in all 4 categories (squat, bench, deadlift and total). All-time 43kg record total

Short Term Aspirations

Move up to the 47kg weight class and compete to win Junior Nationals in 2025, potentially competing internationally later in the year

Long Term Aspirations

Compete for GB at Open (all ages) Worlds. Total 400kg+

How did you get into the sport?

I started strength training to support running at my school gym over my lunch breaks during 6th form, and found I really liked deadlifting! As I knew I was coming to Oxford, I looked for a lifting-related society and found the Powerlifting club. I made it onto the Development Squad program in the club and learnt lots, ending in my first competition at Varsity that year. I started self-programming my training and really enjoyed learning how to continue to get better in my strength and technique. Since then, I've just kept training and loved it every step of the way!

What is your advice on balancing sport and academia?

Plan your weeks and focus on what you are doing when you do it. If I don't have time to set aside for my training due to academics, I am doing too much work for it to be productive! Training in the evening or first thing in the morning can help create an easy split between training time and work time, whilst also giving you lots of "hours in the day" to work. Getting ahead of tutorial work can be helpful if you need to travel internationally during term time. And make sure you have lots of readily available food - making food in bulk and planning ahead if you know you will be busy is a lifesaver!