Rest in peace – David Mannion

It is with deep sadness that we hear of the passing of David Mannion, who was a cornerstone of the British Weight Lifting community.

David was an inspiration to the weightlifting community and beyond. Following a terminal cancer diagnosis, he chose not to be defined by illness but instead to set himself an extraordinary challenge, where he lifted 5,050kg in just one hour to raise money for charity. His courage and determination captured the hearts of many and stood as a testament to the power of resilience and positive spirit.

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 transformed into a prolific weightlifting competitor, having over 150 competitions under his belt, including 5 European Masters Championships and 1 World Masters Championships.

Outside of his training and competing, David gave 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 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.

A familiar face within British Weight Lifting, David’s story was one of perseverance, strength, and hope. He showed what could be achieved through sheer willpower, leaving behind a legacy that will continue to motivate athletes and supporters for years to come.

British Weight Lifting would like to extend our deepest condolences to David’s family and friends at this difficult time. He will be remembered not only for his achievements but also for his character, his humour, and his unwavering resolve to inspire others.

Rest in peace, David.