Pontefract weightlifting success story continues with schools event

The Body Design FIT Invitational event was run at the gym on North Baileygate and proved a massive success.

Among the lifters only two lifts were missed with everyone taking part getting competition best snatch, clean and jerk and totals. Five also qualified for the English Age Group Championships in Oldbury, Birmingham on March 22.

In the development categories for under 10s and under 12s where the focus is more on lifting safely with better technique the four lifters were looked after by European Masters champion and British record holder Martyn Riley.

Sebastian Ellis, aged six, Sebastian Longstaff, 10, Pip Sanderson, 11, and British schools champion Mackallan Whiteley, 11, got all their attempts with solid technique, achieving personal best snatch, clean and jerk and competition totals. They all qualified for the English Age groups in March too.

The youth lifters were coached on the day by British juniors medallists Brad Eccles – a British record setter on the clean and jerk – and Millie Goldspink, national squad lifter, who have already qualified for the English Championships in March.

In his third match after just five months training, Luca Wright smashed a 52kg clean and jerk and 90kg total as he lifted brilliantly. Olivia Ainley was also impressive with a 40kg snatch and 94kg total and they posted personal bests on both Olympic lifts.

Four time British Schools champion and the first Autistic British Development champion Kobain Riley set a strong 55kg clean and jerk and 95kg total for new competition bests.

Charlie Sanderson did her first-ever three figure total as she qualified for the English Championships in the 59 or 63kg class in just her second match.

Organisers of the event thanked national qualified referees Danny McFarlane and Sarah Green, who alongside international official Martyn Riley ensured it was a BWL event.

Donna Sanderson was also thanked for organising with gym owner Si Longstaff who loaded every group with parent and club member Wayne Wright while Sarah Eccles and Alice Smales, who both compete to high level at both weightlifting and Crossfit, contributed with their work with all the lifters in training for the event.

The club does not turn one year old until June yet already has had 9 national lifters, eight medallists, three champions and has seen 10 of its members set British records set.

Pontefract already have seven lifters at the National Championship in March and are looking to making it double figures for the British Seniors and Masters in June.

The weightlifting classes run Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4.30-7pm and Saturdays, 10-12am, with BWL qualified coaches and instructors Sarah Eccles, Alice Smales and Martyn Riley.

The club also offers various other varied training sessions such as Bodyfit, high intensity, TRX, Boxfit and P90 that have fully qualified instructors that can cater for all varied exercise needs. Contact gym owner and manager Simon Longstaff on 07976686135, by email at [email protected] or on facebook at Body Design F.I.T.