Zoe Newson Announces Retirement After Remarkable Career in Para Powerlifting

British Weight Lifting marks the retirement of Zoe Newson, one of the country’s most accomplished and decorated para powerlifters, whose career has spanned two decades of international competition and podium finishes.

A quiet force with unshakeable focus on the platform, Zoe’s journey in para powerlifting began in 2007. Born with growth hormone deficiency, she entered the sport through an open talent identification day—and within just a few years, was representing Great Britain on the world stage. Her debut at the London 2012 Paralympic Games was nothing short of extraordinary: at just 20 years old, Zoe won bronze in front of a home crowd, lifting 88kg in the women’s up to 40kg category.

She repeated her Paralympic bronze medal success in Rio 2016, this time in the up to 45kg category, and returned once again at Tokyo 2020 to secure a top-five finish amidst fierce global competition. In Paris 2024 she shined brighter than ever with a huge life time best of 109kg in the 45kg class the take the silver medal. This capped off a career of multiple world and Paralympic medal success.

Beyond the Paralympic stage, Zoe’s achievements are extensive. She is a double world medallist and European champion who has won multiple World Cup medals as well. Zoe has a career best lift of 101kg at 41kg bodyweight. Her performance at the 2021 Tbilisi World Cup, where she lifted over twice her bodyweight, remains a highlight in British Para Powerlifting history.

Zoe’s strength, however, has always extended beyond numbers. Known for her quiet determination, she has been a constant within the British team—training diligently, competing with grace, and inspiring younger lifters coming into the sport. She is one of only a handful of athletes to have competed at four consecutive Paralympic Games for Great Britain, and her presence on the team has set a standard of consistency and world class delivery.

As she steps away from competitive lifting, Zoe leaves behind a legacy that speaks for itself: a career built on quiet graft, fierce discipline, and medals earned with a smile. She has shown what’s possible with talent matched by tenacity, and she remains one of British para powerlifting’s most decorated and respected athletes.

Everyone at British Weight Lifting extends our heartfelt thanks to Zoe for her dedication to the sport, and we wish her the very best in whatever comes next.

Performance Director Tom Whittaker had the following to say. “Thanks isn’t enough to say to or about Zoe. Zoe has had a career that is as long as it has been successful. Multiple world and Paralympic medals don’t appropriately describe or give enough credence to the way in which Zoe delivered performances time and time again. She will be missed from the team and sport, but her performances will be remembered across 4 cycles, an astonishing legacy left behind for other to try and emulate. Thank you, Zoe!”