The Royal Navy Powerlifters push themselves to the limit

Members of the Royal Navy Powerlifting Association represented the force at the BDFPA Men’s National Championships and the IPF European Bench Press Championships.

Four Royal Navy Athletes, CPO Chris Martin, PO Jimmy Cain, CPO Liam Watson and AET Dan White, competed at the BDFPA (British Drug Free Powerlifting Association) Men’s National Championships this month. 

PO Cain performed brilliantly in his event, placing third in the 110kg category with a 692.5kg total, including the 180kg bench which saw him gain a new personal best to boot. 

CPO ‘Soapy’ Watson and AET White competed in the under 90kg category. CPO Watson lifted well but just missed out as he placed outside of the top three, with AET White grabbing the podium position for the Royal Navy.  
 
CPO Martin lifted in the 110kg Equipped category as the only competitor for his weight class. Not one to let something like that get in the way of his competitive side, Chris managed to set a new British, European and World record for the Equipped Bench Press (246kg at a bodyweight of 109.6kg) in his age category, as well as the open (all age categories) British record.  

Chris totalled 695kg, also winning the best equipped lifter trophy, and as usual, he refereed on day one before lifting on day two as well!

Meanwhile, PO Wesley McGuinness and POPT Andy Davey represented the Royal Navy and Team GB at the International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) European Bench Press Championships held in Bordeaux, France.

POPT Davey was the first to lift on the Tuesday. Andy performed outstandingly, achieving 3/3 lifts on the international stage to secure a bronze medal for Team GB, with a 180kg Bench press in the Masters 1 category. 

On Thursday, PO McGuinness stepped back on the international platform for the first time since fully detaching his right bicep last December. Wes also achieved a successful 3/3 lifts, with a final bench press of 187.5kg.

Wes said, “I have been fully committed and disciplined to my recovery and rehabilitation. By applying the Naval core values, I have returned to full strength and got myself back out there, representing Team GB within 7 months of my surgery.

“Both Andy and I would like to thank British Powerlifting and Commonwealth coach, CPO Paul Foran for handling us on both days to ensure we performed to the very best of our ability and produce the best possible outcome for Team GB.” 

Next up for the Royal Navy Powerlifters, Dan, Jimmy, and Chris all qualified for the WDFPF World Powerlifting Championships in November this year. A little closer to home, the UKAF Powerlifting Championships are being held on 27th September at RAF Cosford.