My First Olympic Weightlifting Competition:

A Journey of Recovery and Progress

Saturday marked a huge milestone for me — my very first Olympic weightlifting

competition.

After a long road of health challenges last year, I wasn’t aiming to peak at my absolute best. The goal was simple: test my strength, trust my technique, and see how far I’ve come in rebuilding myself.

What I didn’t expect was just how well everything would go.

A Year of Rebuilding

Last year was tough. I experienced a significant drop in strength, and returning to weights I had previously lifted felt like a real battle.

But that struggle forced growth.

I had to refine my form. I had to be patient. I had to focus on lighter weights and rebuild both strength and confidence from the ground up.

Standing on the platform on Saturday, I could see the payoff of that work.

The Snatch

My snatch attempts went exactly to plan — if not better.

65 kg – A solid, confident opener.

70 kg – Strong and controlled.

75 kg – Surprisingly smooth. I genuinely felt like I had more in the tank.

My personal best in the snatch is 82 kg, so I wasn’t chasing a maximum. This competition was about consolidating progress and performing well under pressure — and I achieved that.

The Clean & Jerk

Going into the clean and jerk, my focus was confidence and execution.

85 kg – A composed opener. I rehearsed it backstage to fully own the weight before stepping out.

88 kg – A strong clean from the floor, but I missed the lockout on the jerk.

90 kg – Nailed it. Slightly forward onto my toes — a habit I’m continuing to work on — but the lift moved well, and I walked away knowing there was more there.

More Than a Medal

This wasn’t about standing on a podium.

It was a personal victory.

Every lift represented the progress I’ve made physically and mentally. Finishing 6th out of 11 lifters made me proud — especially considering that all but one competitor was 10–15 years younger, and I’m now approaching 40.

That context made the achievement even more meaningful.

Family Support

One of the biggest highlights was having my family there.

Seeing my son watch me compete — engaged, cheering, excited — meant more than any number on the bar. Having my fiancé there supporting us made it feel like more than a competition. It felt like a shared experience.

I left the venue feeling grateful, proud, and inspired for what’s ahead.

Coaching, Learning & Growth

Over the past year, I’ve been fortunate to work with two exceptional coaches — including a former Olympian — and their guidance has been invaluable.

As a strength and conditioning coach myself, mastering the Olympic lifts isn’t just personal; it’s professional. The better I become, the more I can help my clients improve performance in their own sports.

This journey started five years ago. Saturday reminded me exactly why.

The lifts.The discipline.The coaching process.The personal growth.

It all comes together in a way that’s deeply rewarding.

Looking Ahead

I have another local competition in two weeks — another opportunity to build experience and confidence.

Long term, my sights are set on the Welsh Championships in November. Saturday strengthened my belief that I can continue to improve.

This first competition taught me a lot about recovery, patience, and perseverance.

I’m excited to keep building.Keep lifting.Keep progressing.

And keep sharing the journey with my family, my coaches, and all of you.