UK Youth Lifters Shine in Greece

2024 European Youth Weightlifting Championships - Thessaloniki, Greece

The 2024 European Youth Weightlifting Championships in Thessaloniki, Greece, saw the British team deliver standout performances, demonstrating their hard work and talent on a major international stage.

Kristian McPhee, Home Nation Pathway Manager, remarked,

"With a team of ten athletes and a new GB Youth coaching team, the European Youth and Under 15 championships were a big step forward for our fast developing team. With six of the athletes stepping onto the international stage for GB for the first time, the objective was to give them the experience to learn the art of competition. With the pressure higher than previously experienced and the demands of travelling and competing in a foreign country, the team showed a maturity and professionalism we are proud of. Successes include a bronze medal for one of our talent transfer athletes Amelie Pelta, and many shining performances including many British records and personal bests broken.

With over half of the athletes achieving between 4th-6th place in the total and the same number of athletes eligible to return to next year's European Youth competition, the team will be aiming to keep building on the success. I would like to thank the support from our CEO Matthew Curtain, Head of Performance Stuart Martin, our pathway coaching team throughout the year and to the personal coaches and parents for the endless hours of support and commitment to the growth of the athletes and our sport on the international stage."

Athlete Highlights

Thomas Duggan (U15 49kg): Demonstrated determination with a 66kg snatch and 82kg clean & jerk, finishing 6th overall with a total of 148kg.
Ella Henrey (U15 64kg): Displayed strength with a 66kg snatch and 85kg clean & jerk, totalling 149kg, earning 6th place overall.
Elisha Cruikshank (Youth 49kg): Set a new British record with a 64kg snatch and lifted 74kg in the clean & jerk, finishing 6th overall with a total of 138kg.
Eliza Pratt (Youth 55kg): Snatched 71kg and lifted 88kg in the clean & jerk, securing 5th place overall with a total of 159kg.
Amelie Pelta (Youth 55kg): Won bronze in the snatch with 73kg and lifted 91kg in the clean & jerk, totalling 164kg and finishing 4th overall.
Corey Duncan (Youth 73kg): Showcased power with a 107kg snatch and set a new British record with a 143kg clean & jerk, achieving 8th place overall with a total of 250kg.
Annabelle Pettit (Youth 59kg): Set personal bests with a 70kg snatch and 87kg clean & jerk, totalling 157kg, topping the B group and placing 10th overall.
Phoebe Davis (Youth 59kg): Lifted 75kg in the snatch and 81kg in the clean & jerk, totalling 156kg, placing 11th overall.
Martha Bailey (Youth 76kg): Lifted 82kg in the snatch and 90kg in the clean & jerk, totalling 172kg, securing 5th place overall.
Maddie Rosher (Youth 71kg): Finished 4th in both snatch (83kg) and clean & jerk (106kg), totalling 189kg and securing 4th place overall.

Team Recognition

In addition to these stellar individual performances, British Technical Official Caroline Charles proudly received the 5th place trophy for the Youth Women Team Classification, recognising the British team as one of the leading nations in Europe. This achievement reflects the hard work and dedication of all athletes, coaches, and officials involved.

Special thanks to the coaches, Kristian McPhee, Amy Kirby-Saunders, Natalia Priscepa, and Danny Nye, whose support was invaluable throughout the competition.