Ellie sets her sights on place in Thailand
YOUNG Aberdare weightlifter Ellie Pryor is hoping to start 2017 in style by qualifying for the World Youth Championships in Thailand.
It’s now just over a year since the talented 15-yearold was selected for Great Britain’s National Youth Squad, and she followed that up with a successful 2016 which saw her finish seventh in the European Youth Championships – against much older competition.
Ellie, who was labelled by Commonwealth gold weightlifter Michaela Breeze as the most talented student she’s ever coached, trains at Breeze’s Gym in Aberdare.
And there are some huge competitions on the horizon which could see her compete in Thailand, Kosovo and Australia over the next 12 months. First up is the British Age Group Championships in Castleford on February 4 – where Ellie is hoping to qualify for April’s World Youth Championships in Thailand.
Michaela said: “Ellie is now preparing for that qualification in the first weekend of February. The target is 132kg, and her personal best is 129kg, so we are looking for an improvement to qualify.
“But she’s young – 15 years old – and going in an under-17s competition, and is coming off the back of a very successful year in 2016 where she placed seventh in the European Youths where she was just about the youngest in the group.
“She’s got big aspirations, and my job is to keep her fit and safe.
“I’ve been coaching youngsters for years now, and have brought many through to compete on the world stage. And I’ve never come across anyone as committed as Ellie.
“She has the three key things you need in weightlifting – the physicality, the ability and the mental toughness.”
Ellie’s father Philip added that she remained as committed as ever, and that she has enjoyed her past experiences of competing abroad.
He added: “She’s training four or five times a week, and we’re just waiting on confirmation of the GB squad for this year, which we expect to carry over.
“That squad has been identified as potential for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo – whether that comes too soon for Ellie we don’t know.
“There are some huge competitions this year, with the World tournament in Thailand during April, the European Youths in Kosovo during September, and the Commonwealth Championships in Australia too.
“Ellie really enjoyed going away for these competitions, including when she went to Samoa for a competition in 2015. It’s great for her to get the chance to travel and see different cultures.”