Representing Great Britain in the 125kg weight category, Ben had three attempts to complete each lift. He reached 202.5kg in the squat, 125kg in the bench press and needed to lift 225kg in the deadlift – more than the weight of a fully grown male lion – to secure the bronze medal, which he did with his final attempt.
Ben, 20, is originally from Great Yarmouth and is in his second year of a Criminology degree at Anglia Ruskin in Cambridge. His achievement is all the more impressive because he has only turned to the sport recently having been bullied as a child due to his weight.
He said: “It’s a true honour to represent my country and show the world what I can do. I was a victim of bullying because of my weight at a young age.
“Whenever someone tries to discourage me or bully me, it fuels me to prove them wrong, so all I have to say to them is ‘thank you’.
“It was amazing to win a medal in something I love and it was great to be part of a GB team that all help each other in any way we can to win.
“My goal in the future is to obtain the gold in the world championships. I’d also like to encourage fellow students to get involved. I see true potential in some students I see in the gym and I’d love them to get involved in powerlifting. Who knows, maybe there could be a future world champion in there.”
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For more press information please contact:
Jon Green on t: 01245 68 4717, e: jon.green@anglia.ac.uk
Jamie Forsyth on t: 01245 68 4716, e: jamie.forsyth@anglia.ac.uk
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