Matt powers in to lift British title
A MAN with a broken back has become British power lifting champion.
Matt Nicholson, 29, won gold and bronze in the British Power Lifting Union finals, 90kg category.
He got the individual gold after bench pressing 145kg, and the bronze for his combined effort of three categories including squat lifting 175kg and dead lifting 190kg.
The achievement is remarkable for Matt, owners of the Academy Group Transformation Centre on Waterside Mill, Macclesfield, because when he was a teenager he was warned by spine experts that lifting heavy weight could cripple him.
After enduring chronic pain for a decade Matt was determined not to end up in a wheelchair and researched and developed a fitness regime which built up his strength gradually.
The new confidence in his strength inspired Matt to enter a power lifting competition in January and he was blown away when he won.
Matt said: “It was an amazing and day and I had zero back pain all day which is amazing for me.
“I had to lift all three lifts, squat, bench press and dead lift. But I also put my bench press against all the people who only did single lift bench press. So my bench press was the highest out of all the 90kg guys. My first lift was 135kg, second 145kg and I attempted a 152.5kg for a British record but failed that lift. For my squats I did 160kg, 175kg, then attempted 190kg but failed. For my dead lifts I did 180kg, 190kg and failed 200kg. I must have run out of steam.
“Competing in front of thousands of people was an amazing experience and is something I will remember for the rest of my life.”
Matt said he hopes his story inspires others.
He said: “My journey was about understanding my body, my injury and developing exercises to help myself.”