A 16-year-old from Bedwas secured a fifth place finish after competing in his first international youth weightlifting championship for Great Britain.
Michael Farmer has been lifting for less than a year, but was taking part in the European Union Weightlifting Cup in Malta for Team GB on the weekend of May 7.
Training out of CrossFit Caerphilly, on the town’s Western Industrial Estate, Michael placed fifth in the Under 17 category.
The teenager finished with a total lift weight of 211kg, which comprised of a 95kg snatch, and a 116kg clean and jerk.
Those totals also secured Michael qualification to the European Youth Championships in Poland, due to be held in September – a laudable feat just three months on from competing in his first weightlifing competition.
Speaking after the event, Michael said: “It was pretty daunting competing in my first international competition, but I’m really pleased with the result.
“There’s still lots of hard work and improvements needed for future competitions, but I hope I did Caerphilly, Wales and Great Britain proud.”
Michael is also a member of British Weightlifting’s National Youth Squad, and currently holds 12 Welsh Junior Weightlifting records in his 62kg bodyweight category at Under 17, Under 18, Under 20 and Under 23 levels.
The future certainly looks bright for the Bedwas-born lifter, and his still-fledgling sporting career looks set to continue on its impressive upward trajectory.