Preston gym boss from St Annes aims to make history during world record attempt at notorious 'Silver Dollar' deadlift

Ambitious Rhianon Lovelace, 24, will perform the notorious Silver Dollar Deadlift - so christened because in the old days, strongmen used to perform the lift with barrels full of silver dollars.

It is a elevated deadlift from 18 inches height which is double the height of a standard barbell, and the winner of the event often won all the money they successfully lifted.

However there are huge risks.

Rhianon potentially faces unconsciousness and shock by such a physical challenge, and has to have medics on hand as she performs the challenge at her Preston-based gym Kaos Strength, on Greenbank Street at noon on Sunday - watched by online fans.

Her heart rate could reach up to 250 beats per minute during the gruelling attempt.

But the former Lytham St Annes High pupil, who grew up on Albert Road, Blackpool, said she was highly motivated, adding: “It will be the heaviest weight ever lifted by a woman, which is a huge goal of mine.

"We’re really pushing the boundaries of what is physically possible by a woman.”

Swedish strongwoman Anna Harjapaa currently holds the women’s record at 335kg/738lb.

But Rhianon is no stranger to world titles herself.

She has twice scooped the winning title in both the British Strongest Woman contest, and Europe’s Strongest Woman, and in 2018 was crowned the World’s Strongest Woman.

The former University of Central Lancashire student became a powerlifting world champion in 2015 at just 18 years old, having got into lifting sports in 2013.

Rhianon cites her mother - former long distance athlete Janet Lovelace - as a huge inspiration. They have matching tattoos of a Celtic rune symbol representing family.

She added: “I grew up around a woman pushing the boundaries of what’s possible - she was a huge driving force in my career.

“I watched her compete at 50, beating younger men and women.”

Over the next few months Rhianon’s adventures will be captured by a film crew who are making a documentary called The Weight of the World.