Champion duo give Cube a massive lift
CUBE Weightlifting Academy is feeling just champion after two of its lifters were crowned national champions.
Gareth Shepherd, 37, and 10-year-old Jayden Cramman struck gold at the English Championships in Milton Keynes.
Shepherd was competing in the sub-81kgs class in the Masters Championship while Cramman took part in the Development Championship in the sub-55kg category.
They were joined by North Shields-based Cube’s Rosie McDonald, 26, who was a respectable fifth in the Senior Championship in the sub-59kg competition.
On day one of the championships, Cramman finished with a 18kg snatch and 30kg clean and jerk (which was his competition best) to claim the gold.
McDonald – only involved professionally with the sport for a year – lifted in a group of 11 women, some of who have already been competing for many years.
In only her fourth competition, she recorded a 73kg snatch and 85kg clean and jerk.
On the second day, Shepherd competed in the Masters Group One (ages 35-40).
There were several body weight categories lifting together from 67kg to more than 109kg.
Shepherd registered a personal and competition best in the snatch of 102kg and finished with a 115kg clean and jerk.
Not only did he claim second in the whole group of men lifting, even those at the higher body weight, he also put down the highest Sinclair score of 265.976.
Coach Josh Mosavi said: “I was pleased with the performances of Rosie, Gareth and Jayden.
“We had solid contenders in all three categories of the Championships – seniors, Masters and Development.
“It was unlucky Rosie did not make the podium this time because it was such a close competition and she put up a good fight – but now we will be aiming for the British Championships in the summer.”
Mosavi and fellow coach Tina Shaw attended the championships to coach their lifters and, as they are both technical officials for British Weightlifting, they also helped in the refereeing of the competition. Cube Weightfiting Academy’s Gareth Shepherd (second from right) celebrates his gold medal at the English Championships in Milton Keynes with wife Sammy (left) and coaches Tina Shaw and Josh Mosavi
Cube not only coaches athletes at this level but provides female-only groups and training for the over-55s and from seven years old at development group level.
The Academy also offers friendly sessions for those wanting to learn Olympic weightlifting.
Shaw added: “We want to make weightlifting accessible to everyone, no matter what their age or ability.
“I would hope Rosie, Gareth and Jayden inspire others to give weightlifting a try for their confidence, self-development and enjoyment.”
Cube Weightlifting Academy is based on the Tyne Tunnel Industrial Estate but is looking for bigger premises as it grows.
It is a non-profit club recently awarded National Lottery funding through Sport England.
If you would like to be involved, email coaches@cubeweightlifting. co.uk or ring 07814 014 442.