‘Gorilla’ smashes powerlifting titles

AFAMILY from Widnes is taking the powerlifting world by storm.

Dave Morris, 48, also known as ‘The Gorilla’ has only been competing since February, but has already broken world records and won European titles, some while suffering with injuries.

Talking of his success Dave said: “I competed in my first competition in February this year doing Raw Bench only and took the all federation UK record with 210kg.

“As a result of this I was invited to compete at Bodypower in the British finals where I beat the record again twice with presses of 220kg and 230kg. I also took the title of BPU British Champion for my division.”

In October of this year, he decided to compete in the raw deadlifts as well as raw bench. He beat his all federation raw bench record with a press of 232.5kg.

Dave also went for the European record with a press of 243kg, but unfortunately tore his right pec in the process.

With the torn pec, he carried on to the deadlifts, where he beat the five year old existing world record with a lift of 308kg.

He went on to beat it again with a lift of 320kg and took the UK all federation deadlift record as well.

Dave competes in the Masters 2 Super Heavy Weight Division, and currently holds the titles for:

BPU UK British and WPC European Champion.

All federations UK record holder for raw bench press.

All federations UK record holder for raw deadlift.

IPL World Record holder for raw deadlift.

He used to be a competing bodybuilder in 2006 and a martial arts British Champion in 2002, but sadly faded away from the gym in 2007 letting himself go and losing all of the work he had put in. He said: “I was a proper beachball, I didn’t know whether to walk down the stairs or roll down them.”

Dave credits his daughter Nat, 21, for getting him back to the gym. He said: “In 2015, my daughter Nat wanted to go to a gym but with having anxiety wouldn’t go on her own so I had to step up and do my job as Dad and go with her. I’ve never looked back since and now train full time at Body FX Runcorn.

“My two daughters Nat and Kaya both come to the gym with me and also help me with my comp prep with weekend sessions solely dedicated to deadlifts.” ● Dave Morris is known as ‘The Gorilla’ in power-lifting circles and credits his daughter for helping him get back to the gym

Not only competeing the UK, dave has taken competed in Europe as well. He said: “I was invited to compete in Grenoble, France in the European Championships. My wife Susie and I decided to go and have it as the honeymoon we never had. Unfortunately I tore my left pectoral muscle 13 days before competing but after having treatments I still competed and won the title of European Champion.”

He added: “I’m competing again in January where I will be aiming for more records including another World Record but will keep things under my belt until I’ve competed.”

Following in their fathers footsteps, Nat and Kaya are also beginning to compete. Nat is aiming to compete in the Junior Bikini Fitness and Junior Bikini Toned in late 2019 or early 2020.

Kaya, 18, is entering her first powerlifting competition in January competing at the same competition as Mr Morris. She already has a raw deadlift of 130kg at just 18 years.

Dave told the Weekly News that his wife, Susie Morris, is the strongest member of their family, despite not going to the gym, saying: “I have to thank my wife Susie for being everyone’s rock in everything we aim for, helping so much with meal preps, comp preps and keeping me level headed when I’m competing. She has been there for every competition I have taken part in and is always the loudest supporter.”

“We all help each other as much as possible in all our aims and goals and I think this has made us much more stronger as a family unit.”