'Bionic' pensioner, 89, who's beat numerous health issues is using lockdown to pump iron

A pensioner powerlifter with a catalogue of health issues is pumping iron in his garage so he can return to competition after lockdown.

“Bionic” Ted Brown, 89, had been due to lift at the All Eng-land Bench Press in June before it was axed due to coronavirus.

And the great-grandad of eight says after beating heart and hip surgery, nothing will stop him following his passion.

Ted, who has won nine world, three European and 30 British titles in his 70-year career said: “I had a triple bypass, a hip replacement and a pacemaker, two stents. I’m bionic.”

Ted’s record is all the more amazing as doctor’s feared he would not survive after being born weighing just 21b 6oz.

Ted training when younger (Ted Brown / SWNS)

He credits his strength to his mum keeping “me alive in a shoe box wrapped in cotton wool in front of a fireplace”.

And he has now been told his carotid artery is 80% blocked, leading wife Irene and the family to urge him to quit the veterans’ circuit.

Ted has won nine world, three European and 30 British titles in his 70-year career (Ted Brown / SWNS)

But former postman Ted, of Bletchley, Bucks, said: “I think I shall carry on as long as I can – it is part and parcel of my life.

“My philosophy is do what you can while you can, as there will come a time you can’t.”