Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Steven’s a Master of his own destiny
Coatbridge lifter eyes up Scots title after Brits win
A Coatbridge weightlifter hopes to show what he has Scot after he was crowned the best in Britain by taking gold at the Masters.
Steven Lafferty showed off his skills down south defeating challengers from across the UK with a 90kg clean and jerk lift.
The powerhouse admits he was shocked at his own success.
“I went down there as the Scottish champion, but I wasn’t expecting much.
“It’s such a tough competition, there is no doubt about it.
“I’m really proud now to have went down there and taken home the gold.”
He will now head to the Scottish Masters in Arbroath this weekend in a bid to retain his Scots title - and is hoping to smash his personal best.
“After winning the British Masters I’m confident of going there and being successful again.
“I’ve been buzzing ever since, so now I want to beat my own personal best of a 95 clean and jerk.
“Then I want to keep going to the 100kg lift.”
The engineer admits it can be hard to balance his working life with his training schedule - but feels the medals make it all worth it.
“It can be tough on the job, you have to keep having your protein shakes and it’s a lot of commitment. When you get a medal or a trophy you know you’re doing the right thing.”
In the long- term, Lafferty is dreaming of a place in the European Masters.
To qualify, he will need to master an over 100kg clean and jerk and 16kg snatch.
“I feel like I’m on the right path,” he continued. “I’ve been getting there and just want to keep going higher.”