Virtual Winter Open Roundup

41 athletes from across the country battled it out in the BWL Virtual Winter Open at the end of last year. The event provided one last opportunity for athletes looking to make their mark on the 2020 ranking lists as well as providing a platform for qualification to future events.

The competition was run online with lifters submitting pre-recorded videos which were adjudicated and certified by licensed BWL Technical Officials.  

To embrace the festive spirit, the BWL Winter Open saw a one-off relaxation of the BWL Tier 3 attire rules with lifters allowed to compete in festive themed fancy dress.

There was almost an even split across the gender categories with 22 female and 19 male lifters taking part in the competition.

Scarborough Weightlifting Club were the top team overall winning three categories from three entries.

The BWL Winter Open featured some fantastic individual performances on display throughout the various categories with 28 unique winners crowned. A number of athletes also hit totals that enables them to qualify for future British Tier 1 and England Tier 2 events.

Two unaffiliated lifters produced the largest totals of the competition.  Allan Brindley lifted 270kg in the Men’s Senior 89kg class and Agata Herbert hit the British Senior standard with 189kg in the Women’s 81kg competition. Both are now eligible for the British Senior Championships as a result of their efforts.

Mytholmroyd’s Millie Goldspink also hit the British Senior benchmark with 156kg in the Women’s 64kg Senior Class alongside fellow club member Martyn Riley who qualified for the British Seniors as well with an impressive effort of 185kg in the Men’s Master’s 61kg class.

Amy Salt made the British senior qualification standard representing Wythenshawe Weightlifting Club. She lifted 187kg in the Women’s 76kg Senior class. Thomas D`Arcy-Smith also hit the required British standard in the Men’s Senior 67kg category lifting 212kg.

There was also some Scottish success on display as Glasgow’s City Barbell’s Lucas Clarke made the British senior qualification standard with 227kg in the Men’s Senior 73kg competition.

From an English perspective, Thomas Richardson from Built by Atlas made the England Championship standard with 238kg in the Men’s 89kg class.

Three other unaffiliated lifters also hit the required the England Senior Standard in their respective classes. Stephanie Foster lifted 164kg in the Women’s 87kg Senior class, Jake Tunilla lifted 221kg in the Men’s Senior 73kg group and Kasia Mosyk made the English senior qualification standard with 137kg in the Women’s Senior 59kg competition.

There was also strong performance from Scarborough’s Abigail Bowes who reached the British Under 23 standard with 143kg in the Women’s U17 71kg class.

Full results from the competition are available to view here 

Entries are also now open for the British Open Series. You can find out more information here.