ANDOVER champion powerlifter Robyn Brown returned from Helsinki in Finland this week with a tenth World Powerlifting Championship crown.

Temperatures in the Finnish capital were as low as minus 14f on the eve of the championships, which were held in a large basketball stadium and included a well equipped warm-up room, and the popular 59-year-old senior instructor at Andover Leisure Centre won all three classes on the day in his competitive 93kg Masters division.

He was also part of the British Masters team that won the World Team Trophy and just missed out on the title of overall best masters lifter after refusing a third attempt on the dead lift, which he admitted was a mistake as he had to settle for third place overall.

There was a total of 340 powerlifters from 18 different countries taking part in the annual championships and the British contingent swept the board in the Masters events.

Brown continued his recent record breaking form with a combined total of 710kg for his three lifts, which along with his deadlift of 280kg, were both British and European Masters records.

Brown, who has been competing in the sport for over 30 years, was thinking of retiring after narrowly missing out on the title last year but decided to have one last hurrah yet with the tenth gold medal now under his belt he's not going to commit himself.

"Now that I've got a tenth world title I've got the option whether to retire or not but it would be nice to maybe do just one more," he admitted.

Brown however extended grateful thanks to his sponsor Pete Tesar of Andover home improvement specialists CPS. "His help meant a great deal to me and would like to thank him publicly for his support," said Brown.

Tesar said he was elated afater he heard the news that Robyn had won his tenth worth title. "We are proud to be associated in his success story," he added.

Brown also had thanks to masseur Neal Beaufoy of Natural Balance for all his work up to the contest and also his ALC training partners Chris Hall, Andy Evans, Kevin Hammerton and Steve Withers.

"They are the people who help to keep you motivated and keep you going when things start to fall apart," added Brown. "Thanks guys, you help is greatly appreciated."