Featherstone weightlifter Finley Brierley-Fox travelled to Birmingham for a British Weightlifting show and came back as English champion, having won the gold medal in the male under-17 category with a 101kg clean and jerk lift.

“It was a close competition,” said Fin, 16, who’s studying for a sports coaching diploma at Wakefield College. “The silver medallist lifted just a kilo less. He’s competed in about fifty events, whereas for me this was just my fifth. I’m proud that all my six allowed lifts were successful.”

“We’re delighted with his progress,” said dad Graham, who runs FK Fox Boxing in Featherstone. “Fin tried but disliked team sports and has also done some boxing, Brazilian jujitsu and catch wrestling, which gave him a core strength which crossed over to lifting. He took to weightlifting straightaway and had good mobility to go with his power. He’s not looked back.”

Fin appreciates that the sport strengthens him mentally as well as physically. “I just love lifting heavy weights. I get on with everyone at my gym, Yorkshire Strength in Whitwood. There’s a proper camaraderie as we all want each other to succeed. I’m now doing four sessions a week, each up to 90 minutes. Besides Birmingham, I’ve competed throughout Yorkshire and in Blackpool and improved with each event as I’ve gained experience. I’m also on the Loughborough University DICE programme, which allows me to attend residential weekends with Olympic lifters, and at home I do extra strength work in our family boxing gym, where I also do some coaching with younger children.”

Luke Stopford is Yorkshire Strength’s head coach. “Fin defeated the other five in his group,” said Luke. “He’s been with us eighteen months. At first, he was only able to lift the 5kg training bar. He’s mastered the technique, and now he’s lifting over 100 kg in his fifth competition. We’re looking forward to him competing in the British championship later in the year. As he’s got stronger, his confidence has improved, which has helped him in competition, and we’re proud to help him fulfil his ambition of joining weightlifting’s Team GB. I also want to congratulate all six from Yorkshire Strength who won medals in Birmingham. An overall total of four golds, a silver and a bronze.”

Fin would welcome sponsorship from local individuals and companies to cover training fees, equipment and travel costs. “There’s no official funding for him to compete on the international stage,” explained Graham Brierley. “Thanks in advance to anyone willing to help this enthusiastic young lad live out his dreams.”

Call 07538 258825 or e-mail info@yorkshirestrength.com or Instagram @yorkshire.strength for further information about training or potential sponsorship. Graham Brierley is best contacted directly at FK Fox Boxing on Facebook or by e-mail at grahambrierley73@gmail.com.