Edgware weightlifter Amelie Pelta named Gymshark's youngest ambassador

Amelie Pelta, a 17-year-old college student from Edgware, is aiming to break down perceptions of weightlifting. She has become Gymshark's youngest ambassador and uses her social media platforms to promote the sport among women.

Pelta shares her training, personal best lifts, and daily life with 130,000 followers across Instagram and TikTok. The majority of her followers are women under 24 years old. She is currently competing in the 2026 European Junior Weightlifting Championships as part of her ambition to compete in the Olympics.

Read Next in Barnet Press2 min read

Edgware High Street to close for Remembrance Sunday

Temporary road closures will affect Pinner and Edgware on November 8, 2026, for annual parades.

Challenging Stereotypes

Pelta stated that the sport can be perceived as masculine, but she wants to show that women can embrace femininity while lifting heavy weights. She believes this is something to be proud of and not something to hide. Pelta described her experience entering the sport as intimidating due to the perception that it was primarily a men's sport.

She plans to wear a large bow in her hair during competitions at the European Championships while aiming for personal best lifts against top European competitors. Pelta aims to encourage more girls to participate in strength sports, making it a more normalised and less intimidating activity.

Related Borough Coverage3 min read

Counterfeit goods worth £2,000 seized in Edmonton

Operation Reckoning targeted illegal electronics sales in 15 shops over three days.

Inspiration and Ambition

Women's weightlifting was only introduced to the Olympics in 2000, over a century after the men's event. Emily Campbell, the first British woman to win an Olympic weightlifting medal, is a significant inspiration for Pelta. Campbell won silver at the Tokyo 2020 Games and bronze at Paris 2024.

Pelta expressed her desire to reach a similar level to Campbell and emulate her positive representation of weightlifting. She believes Campbell's influence has contributed to increased positivity and a shift in perceptions surrounding the sport. Pelta has already broken multiple British and European youth records.

Balancing her full-time education with her athletic pursuits and ambassadorial duties, Pelta finds her achievements remarkable. She described her experience travelling to the European Championships as 'crazy' and is focused on achieving personal bests while also managing her social media content and brand collaborations.