100-Year-Old Woman Enters Guinness Book Of Records By Becoming The World’s Oldest Competitive Powerlifter

A 100-year-old woman has been recognized as the oldest competitive powerlifter on the planet.

Edith Murway-Traina from Tampa, Florida has been shocking audiences and judges in competitions by lifting weights up to about 70kgs. And on August 8, 2021, she celebrated her 100th birthday.

Edith, who is also a great-great-grandmother, started using the gym at 91 years of age. After many years of dancing, having been inspired by Shirley Temple, Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire when she was young, she discovered a brand new passion.

Edith told Guinness World Records:

“While I was watching those ladies doing their thing, I thought I just as well should pick up a few bars, and I did. Going on a regular basis, I found that I was enjoying it, and I was challenging myself to get a little bit better and a little bit better. Before long, I was part of the team.”

“As a performer and a dancer, applause was always a very important part of my enjoyment. As long as I could get a little bit of applause, I was happier each I time I got more and more applause. Once people found out I was in my nineties and I was doing all of these things, it got to be more noticeable. People got to pay attention more,” she said.

Guided by her trained Bill and her dear friend Carmen, Edith has won awards in several competitions.

At one point she could even hardly find space to store all her trophies.

Edith’s daughter, Honey Cottrell said:

“She loves the applause. Any time she lifts a weight, people clap.” 

Edith added:

“I think in my nineties, I became more aware of the need for people to be recognised for who they are, or what they are, or how they are and it’s the most beautiful thing in the world. I think I survive on that, mostly, myself.”

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