England Legacy Masters Championships & Para Powerlifting Open write up

In a celebration of the enduring legacy of the Commonwealth Games, weightlifting and para powerlifting made a triumphant return to Birmingham. The England Legacy Masters Championships and Para Powerlifting Open took place on 17 and 18 June at Oldbury Academy, captivating athletes and spectators alike.

The England Legacy Masters Championships, the first British Weight Lifting standalone event for competitors aged 35 and above, was a resounding success. Over the course of the weekend, participants showcased their incredible strength and determination, inspiring the next generation of weightlifters. The event was marked by thrilling displays of power and resilience, leaving the audience in awe of the athletes' achievements.

A total of 65 medals were awarded to Masters weightlifters over the course of the weekend and it was fantastic to see such a high standard of lifting.

The England Legacy Para Powerlifting Open provided para powerlifters with a much-anticipated opportunity to demonstrate their remarkable abilities and compete on home soil ahead of the upcoming WPPO World Championships. The competition, held on the afternoon of 18 June, witnessed an outstanding display of strength and a testament to the indomitable spirit of para powerlifters.

There were a number of world class athletes, including European Champion Mark Swan, benching at the competition and we saw multiple athletes make their debut from the para powerlifting talent programme.

View the competition results here 

The England Legacy Masters Championships and Para Powerlifting Open not only celebrated the legacy of the Commonwealth Games but also provided an avenue for athletes to shine and inspire others. The dedication and commitment displayed by participants were a testament to their lifelong passion for their respective sports. The Commonwealth Games legacy was further commemorated by Cllr Suzanne Hartwell, Sandwell Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Adults, Social Care & Health, who attended the event.

As the dust settles on the incredible weekend, British Weight Lifting would like to take the opportunity to thank all who made the event possible.

Firstly, thank you to Sam and Mandy Hayer and Oldbury Academy for all your support and efforts to make the event so successful.

Thank you to all the volunteers and staff who made the event possible. Jo Calvino did a fantastic job of training up a new cohort of Technical Officials, who were supported by a cohort of existing Officials. Thank you Aaron Holt, Jess Roebuck-Slaney, Tim Graham, Holly Baker, Harj Cheema,  Gian Cheema, Sophie Cartwright, Katie Green, Lucie Fialova, Muhammad Khan, Suleen Syn, Sam Kyriacou, and Annisa Mehler.

Thank you to the team of loaders who ensured the event ran smoothly and on time: Joe White, Gurinder Hayer, Luke Johnson, Lily Abed, Dawid Wozniak, Jack Connolly.

Sport England played a pivotal role in making these events possible through their funding of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Legacy Programme. The support enabled athletes from various age groups and abilities to showcase their skills on a grand stage, igniting passion and motivation throughout the community.

Thank you to our partners for your continued support: UK Sport, Sport England, The National Lottery, Eleiko, SBD, Sport and Fitness Flooring, Joymo and Sportscover Europe.