British Lifter Raises Autism Awareness

British, autistic lifter Martyn Riley talks to BWL about autism and how he won’t let it control his sporting life. The four-time, reigning British champion is committed to raising awareness of autism within the weight lifting world and wants other lifters to be inspired by his story.

Not letting autism stand in the way of his goals, Martyn has broken and re-set thirty northern England Masters records and has recently been promoted to an IWF, category two referee. Martyn was also the first diagnosed autistic lifter to take part in and win a European Masters Championship.

Martyn added, ‘My coach Nick has been a huge help throughout my weight lifting career, he doesn’t have any specific experience with autism but he puts a lot of time and effort into understanding the needs of his lifters and I am hugely grateful for everything he has done for me. I also would like to thank Eddie Halstead who has also been a massive part of my journey and an idol of mine for many years.’

To read more about Autism and to get your copy of Martyn’s article, go to: http://www.autism.org.uk/get-involved/membership/magazine.aspx