Bangor University has awarded its highest sporting award, the Llew Rees Memorial Prize, to the 2017 European Powerlifting Champion.

Chrystal Williams, 21, from Bolton was judged to have made the greatest contribution to raising the profile of Bangor University sport.

Having just completed the second year of her psychology with neuropsychology degree, Chrystal has had a remarkable year competing in regional competitions in the North West of England which lead to qualifying for the British and English National Competitions.

She holds four English and British records and has represented Britain several times, becoming European Champion at the European Classic Powerlifting Championships in Denmark in March.

Chrystal has been involved in powerlifting for two years and became a member of the University’s American football team, when she started to attend the gym with her football coach and teammates. She was told that she had a lot of natural strength and was encouraged to attend the gym to learn the correct technique.

Chrystal said: “It is a huge honour and accomplishment to be recognised and rewarded for the hard work I have put into the sport. It means that I have been able to push myself to a certain level and will be able to continue to progress.”