David Mannion: From terminal diagnosis to lifting 5050kg in an hour

Dr David Mannion is a cornerstone in UK Master’s weightlifting, and after receiving a terminal cancer diagnosis, has completed an incredible deadlift challenge to raise money for Progress Charity.

David Mannion discovered the sport of weightlifting in September 1974 as a 17-year-old sixth form student. By April 1975, David had worked up to a 80kg clean & jerk. He stuck with the sport throughout university, improving his technique and strength. By the time he was 24, David had worked up to a 135kg clean & jerk and went on to win the British Students and Universities competitions in 1984 in both powerlifting and weightlifting.

Since then, David has become a prolific weightlifting competitor, having over 150 competitions under his belt, including 5 European Masters Championships and 1 World Masters Championships. We asked David what his favourite thing about weightlifting was, and he said “When you are in a weightlifting competition, you feel alive. Months of training concentrated in just 6 short bursts: 3 snatches and 3 clean and jerks.”

Outside of his training and competing, David has given back to the sport as a volunteer and Technical Official. In 2011, David was selected as a Games Maker for the 2012 Olympic Games in London, where he worked as part of the Technical Officials team with Matthew Curtain and Moira Lassen.

David has also regularly supported competitions in London and South East as a technical official, later passing the IWF category II exam in 2013 and Category I exam in 2017 having refereed at British Senior Championships, BUCS and Age Group Championship competitions.

On the 7^th August 2024, David was diagnosed with cancer of the oesophagus, and completed an intensive course of treatment that included 1 round of chemotherapy that spanned over 8 weeks, a major 9-hour surgery at the Royal County Surrey Hospital – where he spent 9 days recovering, 4 days of which were in intensive care, and he followed this with a second round of chemotherapy treatment that lasted a further 8 weeks.

 On the 20^th May 2025, David attended a CT scan, which he though was routine. He then received the news that the cancer had spread to his liver in the form of 4 tumours. A further PETCT scan at Brighton showed that the cancer had spread to his lungs, ribs and bowel.

It was at this point David was delivered a terminal diagnosis. In July 2025, David emailed his fellow weightlifters, informing them of his diagnosis, and let them know he would be completing a deadlift challenge on the 1^st August 2025 to raise money for Progress Charity.

The challenge set was to deadlift 50kg as many times as possible in an hour.

Less than a week before his deadlift challenge, David entered his last weightlifting competition. He competed on the 27^th July at Elite Bodyworks where he pushed for a 100kg total.

Dr David Mannion competing at Elite Bodyworks. Photo courtesy of TO the Bar.

David rounded off his performance with a flex for the entertained crowd, proclaiming ‘I won something’.

Dr David Mannion competing at Elite Bodyworks. Video from TO the Bar.

Just 5 days later, David undertook his mammoth deadlift challenge. In just 1 hour, David managed to deadlift 50kg 101 times, meaning he shifted 5050kg in just 60 minutes.

David’s challenge not only pushed his body to the limit but is in aid of fundraising for Progress Charity. The Progress charity was established with the specific purpose of supporting people diagnosed with oesophageal and gastric cancers, and to improve the public’s understanding and knowledge of the disease.

You can donate to David’s fundraiser here

Read more about the Progress charity here

Matthew Curtain, CEO of British Weight Lifting, commented “David is a legend in the world of UK weightlifting. His positivity, resilience and grit shines through every time he takes to the platform. His deadlift challenge, fundraising efforts and attitude to his situation is nothing but outstanding. David, I wish you the best.”

British Weight Lifting would like to thank Dr David Mannion for his contributions to the sport of weightlifting and encourages its members to support David’s fundraising efforts.