David Gray will carry on lifting himself up

The 51-year-old admits he was ready to make this month's IPF International Powerlifting Federation) championships in Finland his last.

But after tasting glory in the Masters 66kg category, the design and technology teacher has had an understandable change of heart.

"I was thinking of retiring but everyone I spoke to since has said 'you can't retire now, you've just become world champion!'" he said. "They're right, of course. I'm already looking ahead to next year's event in Texas."

Gray has won other versions of the world title before but the IPF crown is by far the most prestigious of his decade-long career in the sport.

He claimed it in some style, lifting a total of 567.5kgs in the squat, bench press and deadlift categories, breaking six world records along the way and beating last year's champion Jeffrey Phillips.

"I knew I had a chance going into the competition as I knew what had been lifted to win last year," said Gray. "It was a case of performing on the day and I managed to do that."

The teacher, who admits some of his students at Wolverhampton's Midpoint Centre regularly challenge him to an arm wrestle, took up the sport after working out at the city's Muscle Masters Gym.

"Someone said I looked pretty strong – that's how I got into it," he explained.

For a sport based on physical strength, Gray believes the key to success lies very much in the mind.

"Mental strength is key," he said. "That is the one thing I have learned most throughout the years.

"I used to watch the Russian athletes a lot and was always impressed with how they managed to stay focused.

"I have seen huge men go to pieces under the pressure. I made sure I was up for the fight."