Firefighter has struck gold at ‘999 Olympics’
ASUPER-FIT firefighter has struck gold at the emergency services equivalent of the Olympics.
Steve Jefferies, 46, from Bredbury, competed at the World Police and Fire Games that took place in Los Angeles last month.
And he has come back with two gold medals - in the bench press and the push pull lifting - as well as a silver in the cross fit competition.
His success follows a punishing training regime since the start of the year combined with his duties at King Street fire station.
And during the trip he even managed to spot his idol and the man who inspired him to begin lifting weights as a 14-year-old.
Steve said: “It is a bit like the Olympics for the police and fire service with teams from all over the world.
“I began lifting weights as a young lad after watching a video of Arnold Schwarzenegger working out on Muscle Beach.
“Before the competition I went there to do some training and he rode past on a push bike.
“It was amazing, one of those moments where you have to pinch yourself to make sure it is real.”
Steve, of Stockport Road West, competed at the below 74kg category.
His training started after Christmas with 15 hours in the gym every week spread over five days.
At this point he also gave up drinking and began watching what he ate - cutting out cake and sugar as well as limiting the amount of carbohydrates consumed.
Steve has taken part in the World Police and Fire Games before, winning medals in New York in 2011 and Belfast in 2013.
And he hopes to defend his titles at the next one, which is in China in 2019.
Steve said: “It is tough and competitive but it is friendly competition.
“You want to win but you wish your competitors all the best.
“There are a lot of sacrifices involved but it is easy to make those sacrifices when you know you are doing it for a purpose. Winning was amazing and made everything worthwhile.
“My training has also helped with being a firefighter as it makes it easier to carry the heavy equipment and pull someone out of a burning building.”