Powerlifting teen amazed with British record

Dorje Weston said he broke a British junior squat record over the summer in Malta

A teenager has said he feels amazing after breaking a British junior record in powerlifting.

Dorje Weston, 17, from Wythall, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire said he set the new 222.5kg squat record while competing at the World Sub-Junior and Junior Powerlifting Championships in Malta this summer.

"I ended up taking the silver on squats, gold on bench and silver overall, it was amazing," he said.

The previous British junior squat powerlift record was 213kg.

Mr Weston said despite his gold win in the bench category he felt he could have achieved more.

"[Reflecting on my] preparation for the competition I should have been able to do more," he said.

"But compared to how I've done in previous competitions and compared to everyone I was competing against, I did amazing.

"It is a little bit conflicting but overall I'm way more happier than I am sad."

Powerlifting differs to weightlifting as athletes do not lifting weights above their head.

Instead, they aim to lift as much weight as possible in a single motion, through a squat, bench or deadlift.

Mr Weston said he took a liking to the sport after watching his older brother compete and now he and his younger sister have take up the sport.

"My sister watched the nationals last year and realised she could do this too, that motivated her to start," he said.

The teenager added he was looking forward to enjoying a break before he got back into the gym to train for his next competition.

"I'm going to celebrate with a nice meal and I can eat anything I want, I just need to not be to ridiculous since I'm four weeks out from the European Championships," he said.