The British Weight Lifting Annual Achievement Awards aim to recognise the outstanding contributions and efforts from the weightlifting and para powerlifting community. With more athletes and volunteers now active than ever before, these awards are vital in recognising the contributions of our members and clubs.

Eleiko Coach of the Year Award

Amy Kirby-Saunders - Amy has been involved in the sport of weightlifting for 13 years & gravitated towards coaching others. Amy founded her club Resilience Weightlifting in Bath after identifying that there were no clubs in her region, and she aspired to give new & current weightlifters a club and a community to be a part of, & to help them achieve their full potential within the sport. Amy is also a BWL pathway coach & recently coached our international teams at the IWF World Youth Championships & EWF European Youth Championships.

Eleiko Club of the Year Award

North Tyneside Barbells started in 2014, so what an accolade to win Club of the Year on their 10^th anniversary. The club was founded by Steve Sharp (who was nominated for Coach of the Year) and is currently one of the largest clubs in the country based on active membership. The club’s motto is 'Strong People build Strong Societies' and Steve aims to build young individuals into positive, impactful members of society through strength training and competitive sport.

Inspiring Others Award

Emily Campbell - Emily is the most successful British weightlifter of modern times, a 2022 Commonwealth Games gold medallist (including the Flag Bearer for Team England across all sports at the Opening Ceremony), silver medallist at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics & she recently won her fourth consecutive title at the European Championships in 2024. Emily will represent Team GB at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Emily remains an inspiration to a nation of weightlifters of all ages & abilities, encouraging everyone from all backgrounds, genders & races to try the sport and embrace all the opportunities it provides. Emily, we cannot wait to see what you will achieve in Paris this summer, good luck & thank you for your immeasurable contribution to weightlifting.

Louis Martin MBE Lifetime Achievement Award

Keith Morgan OBE - Keith is the driving force behind Crystal Palace Weightlifting Club & was recently honoured with an OBE for Services to Sport.  Keith has been involved in weightlifting for more than 50 years as an athlete, coach, talent recruiter, anti-doping tester, and competition organiser. He was also technical operations manager at the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games & sits on the IWF Coaching & Research Committee. He coached Weightlifting Olympian  Emily Muskett and shot-putter Myrtle Augee as well as the IWF Athletes Commission Chair, Forrester Osei &. His incredible dedication & impact on the weightlifting community has truly uplifted the sport.

Optimum Nutrition Technical Official of the Year Award

Jess Roebuck- Slaney - Jess’ passion for lifting is all-consuming. A competitive lifter herself, Jess is also a devoted & dedicated Technical Official. She selflessly & endlessly volunteers at weightlifting events across the country & is always a consummate professional. Jess is co-owner of Atticus Barbell Club & co-host of the To the Bar podcast with Aaron Holt.

Optimum Nutrition Masters Lifter of the Year Award

Gemma Peregrine - Gemma is a seasoned master’s lifter who currently holds all British Masters Records in the Snatch / Clean & Jerk / Total in the W40-45 U55kg. She was the 2023 British (Bangor), European (Waterford IRL) & World (Poland) Masters Champion & has also competed in the British & England Seniors in the 55kg category.

S&F Flooring Volunteer of the Year Award

Holly Baker - Holly's commitment to volunteering at both the local and national level competitions is admirable, it demonstrates her willingness to give back to the weightlifting community and support others in achieving their goals. Last year, Holly also won Technical Official of the Year.

Brian Hamill Unsung Hero of the Year Award

Eddie Halstead - Eddie is truly the backbone of weightlifting & is considered a true hero among the community. He works endlessly to deliver competition logistics at innumerable events every year, is a diligent technical official & a legendary speaker. What he doesn’t know about weightlifting isn’t worth knowing. 

John Lear Outstanding Contribution Award

Cyril Martin - Cyrill is based at Atlas Weightlifting Club, in Alfreton, Nottinghamshire. Cyril has over six decades of weightlifting experience. At sixty, he even competed at the World Masters Championships. Cyril has coached many athletes to medal successes, his most notable being Emily Campbell at the 2020 Olympic Games. Hugely deserved, he has and continues to make an incredible contribution to the sport of weightlifting.

SBD Young Para Powerlifter of the Year

Evelyn Thomas - Evelyn lifts at SAW Cymru in the -64kg para powerlifting category and is part of Weightlifting Wales development squad. Her best bench is an impressive 67kg. In the Welsh Age Groups 2023 competition, Evelyn not only won the Welsh title, but broke a personal best and the Welsh record. Evelyn is a true inspiration to everyone in the para powerlifting community.

SBD Young Weightlifter of the Year Award

For the first time ever, two lifters have jointly won the Young Weightlifter of the Year Award, both equally deserving of the title!

Isabella Brown - Bella is a rising star in weightlifting & is the British record holder in U15, U17, U20 & U23 age groups. She won bronze at the European Junior Championships in 2023 & has recently been selected for the BWL GB academy.

Josh Hutton - Josh lists with North Tyneside Barbells & has broken 8 Junior British Records in his weightlifting career - U15 / U17 / U20.  He was the U20 British Age Groups Champion in 2023, the U20 England Age Group Champion in 2023 & 2024. He won gold at BUCS 2023 & silver in 2024. He represented England Juniors in 2024 & has been selected for this year’s GB Junior Squad.

Sportscover Weightlifter of the Year Award

Chris Murray - British Weightlifting’s very own Chris Murray, who works as a Pathway Coach, has represented both England & Great Britain on the international platform. He won gold at the Commonwealth Games 2022 & broke the Games record. In 2023/24, Chris snatched double bodyweight 3 times & broke two British records in two different weight categories.

Sportscover Para Powerlifter of the Year

Zoe Newson - Zoe is a two-time Paralympic bronze medallist, making her debut at London 2012, and has recently competed at her fourth consecutive Games in Paris. The Ipswich lifter, who is a mother to her son Duncan, began competing in 2007 before going on to win a junior world title in 2010. Zoe now boasts multiple global medals and is a valued member of the World Class Programme here at British Weightlifting. She is an incredibly talented and inspirational athlete.