Holyhead powerlifter crowned third best in the world

Holyhead hero Lucas Williams proudly stands third on the podium after securing bronze at the world sub-junior powerlifting championships. Pictures: International Powerlifting Federation

Third best in the world – how good is that?

Ask powerlifter Lucas Williams of Holyhead as that is the status he owns.

The 18-year-old has just returned from Romania, where he landed two bronze medals at the Sub-Junior World Powerlifting Championships.

Not only did he take third place in the Deadlift, he also scored the third most points in the competition overall.

Participating in the World Sub-Junior Classic Championships at Cluj Napoca in the 83 kg section, Lucas was fourth in the Squat in a new GB record of 242.5, fourth in the Bench Press with 147.5 and a magnificent third in the Deadlift with 282.5.

His combined points total of 672.5 beat his old GB record of 660.0 and placed him third among the world’s best.

Overall silver medallist Joseph Tyler (USA) finished just 2.5 kg ahead of Lucas’ total, while gold medal winner Thomas Scanlon of New Zealand ended on 697.5.

Scanlon claimed gold in the Bench Press, while Tyler did likewise in the Deadlift.

Despite being proud of finishing third best in the world, Lucas believes he could have improved on his performance.

“I could have done better,” he said. “I felt I had more in the tank, but if you try to go too heavy you can fail and lose points, so the coaches decided we play it safe.

“There was a lot of good competition, many other lifters came very close to making the podium, so I’m proud to achieve what I did.”

Supporting Lucas in Cluj was his uncle Kev Williams, while following the teenager’s progress back home was his mother Dawn, plus sister Mary, 22, and brothers Farren, 16, and 15-year-old Gareth, as well as his other family and friends.

When he arrived home on Monday, Lucas enjoyed an after-championship party at the Prince of Wales in Holyhead.

“It’s been good since getting back, a lot of people have been coming up to me saying well done,” Lucas added.

“I go up to under-23 now, where the level is much harder, and I probably won’t be competing at any major championship for another two to three years.

“In the meantime, I’ll keep working hard in the gym, building up my strength and techniques.”