2024 British Open X Lift Me Up: Inside BWL’s First Adaptive Weightlifting Event

The 2024 British Open was no ordinary competition; it was an event that brought together the passion of weightlifting with the heartwarming purpose of charity.

Held on August 31st at Winners 2000 Gym in Newton Abbot, Devon, this year's British Open was paired with the annual Lift Me Up charity competition. The day was marked by extraordinary achievements, unity, and a shared goal of raising awareness and funds for Motor Neurone Disease (MND) research.

Lift Me Up, now in its fourth year, was founded in 2021 by Olympic weightlifter Emily Muskett, who was deeply moved by the loss of her mother to MND shortly before the Tokyo Olympics. The event has since grown into a powerful force for good, with all proceeds going directly to the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA) to fund vital research. This year, the event raised nearly £6,000, with donations still coming in.

A Day of Firsts

This year’s event was particularly special as it marked the first time British Weightlifting (BWL) included adaptive athletes in the competition. Nigel Barber and Abigail Wynn-Jones made history as the inaugural adaptive lifters on the Red Platform, showcasing their incredible strength and resilience. Nigel Barber, reflecting on his experience, shared:

"Competing in my first inclusive British weightlifting event was an incredibly positive experience. From the moment I reached out, the BWL team was supportive and accommodating, going above and beyond to assess my movement patterns and provide extra time and assistance where needed. Having the judges pre-evaluate my range of motion and preview the movements before lifting made a huge difference, helping to calm my nerves and allowing me to focus entirely on the task at hand. The entire experience was a testament to how inclusive the sport can be, and I hope to see more opportunities for adaptive weightlifting in the future."

Abigail Wynn-Jones also shared her thoughts on the experience, saying:

"From the moment I was invited, I was so excited to be able to showcase what adaptive athletes can do in weightlifting. Being given this opportunity made the hard work worth it because it may open the sport up to even more disabled people, and being welcomed by the most wonderful, kind staff and crowd made me so proud to be a part of the day. I can’t wait to see how the sport continues to grow because I genuinely believe that the lessons we learn in weightlifting help us become better at facing the challenges of life."

The inclusion of adaptive weightlifters was a significant milestone for BWL and the weightlifting community, emphasising the importance of accessibility and inclusivity in sports. Both Nigel and Abigail delivered outstanding performances, inspiring everyone in attendance.

A Community Effort

The success of this event was not only due to the athletes but also to the dedication of the BWL staff, the technical officials, and the volunteers who worked tirelessly to ensure everything ran smoothly. Emily Muskett expressed her gratitude, saying:

"I would like to say a huge thank you to the staff at British Weightlifting (Maggie, Ed, Claire, Ash, and Matt) who helped set up the whole event, Ollie and Simon at Winners 2000 Gym, and all of our Technical Officials and volunteers who gave up their time to support the event. Without these people, the competition would not have been possible."

The event also received generous support from sponsors, including XpresMedia, ESC Sounds, Eleiko, Weightlifting House, Optimum Nutrition, SBD, and Lumi Therapy. Their contributions were crucial in making the event not only possible, but also successful.

PHOTOS

The photos were captured by Xpresmedia. When sharing them, kindly tag @expresmedia on Instagram.

Looking Ahead

With the 2024 British Open and Lift Me Up event now behind us, the weightlifting community is already looking forward to next year. Emily Muskett hinted at exciting changes for the 2025 event, promising that it will be even bigger and better.

In the end, the 2024 British Open x Lift Me Up event was more than just a competition—it was a celebration of strength, inclusivity, and community spirit. It brought together athletes of all abilities, from Olympians to first-time competitors, in a shared effort to lift not just weights but also the hopes of those affected by MND.

LIFT ME UP 2024 - Fundraising