WEIGHTLIFTING: A Caerphilly teenager is prepared to play the waiting game when it comes to long-term success, after entering weightlifting just 18 months ago.
Introduced to the sport through his father, it has been quite a rise for Mikey Farmer.
In his first-ever competition – a Welsh schools weightlifting gathering – he opened 1kg above the records on the snatch and clean, and jerk lifts, and since then has competed at British, European, Commonwealth and World Youth level.
This year he has stepped up to junior level.
A member at Willpower Weightlifting Club in Pontypool, Mikey concedes that selection for Wales for next year’s Commonwealth Games in Australia is a long shot, but he is already thinking beyond that.
The 18-year-old is putting in the hard work now, training and focussing on the British Under-20 Championships in Castleford next month, with the hope of establishing himself on the international scene.
“The start of this year I was in volume phases so building a lot more strength,” said the former St Martin’s School pupil.
“It’s paid dividends though as I’ve moved up a category and still performed well. For the rest of the year, I’m training hard and getting my head down.
“The next Commonwealth Games might come too soon so I’ll be definitely aiming for the next one. I’ve got the British Juniors at the end of September and it’s a chance to showcase my work. It’s my first year as a junior and I’m only 18, so I just want to show what I am capable of.
“I did CrossFit for about two years, as my father owns a gym. I was quite good at the weightlifting side of things so decided to enter a competition.
“I did my first competition, opened up 1kg above the Welsh record, broke a couple of records after that and then got spotted by the Great Britain squad and it’s just gone from there really.”
Farmer’s cause has also been helped this year by being selected on the SSE Next Generation scheme – a programme which supports 50 young up and coming athletes, both financially and through experience and mentoring sessions.
He recently headed out to Amsterdam for four days as part of a group of five athletes who got the opportunity to watch the England and Scotland women’s football teams train ahead of their opening Women’s European Championships clash in Utrecht, which the Three Lionesses won 6-0.
Farmer admitted the trip had proved to be a real eye opener: “This trip was fun, informative and motivational.
“Coming from a weightlifting background, football is something completely different from my sport but it was interesting to see the two countries prepare mentally and physically.
“The mental side of things is so important in weightlifting too, so that was interesting.
“We also had a media training session, looking at social media and advice for what you should and shouldn’t do – which I found really useful. I’m really grateful for all the support SSE give me.”
• Since 2013, SSE is proud to make a difference to young people, their families and their communities, by investing in the future of sporting talent through the SSE Next Generation scheme. Keep up to date @YourSSE.
Article by Pippa Field, of Sportsbeat