LOCAL girl Joy Fleming sent records tumbling at the World Drug Free Powerlifting Federation (W.D.F.P.F.) European Powerlifting championships last weekend in Castleblayney.
The 17-year-old Glenavy girl followed up on her success at the Irish Championships earlier this year when she broke both European and World records at the event.
Joy in action.
The Hunterhouse pupil may be relatively new to the sport, having only taken it up last October when her first choice option as part of her AS Level couldn't go ahead. However, she certainly is a natural.
Having recently moved to a new weight category, 63kg, Joy won the European championship for her weight category and age group, breaking the European Record in the Bench Press, Dead Lift and for the Overall Total, and breaking the World Record for the Bench Press.
Joy, who is also the Irish National Champion, has also qualified for the World Championship's in Indianapolis in the USA in November and is hoping to find the sponsorship to allow her to attend.
In all there were three locals taking part at the event with Joy's uncle and trainer, Peter Leitch winning the European Senior Men's Master's One title for the 100kg class and Lawrence McConnell, the existing World Champion winning his section.
The three train at The Bear Cave in Suffolk and Joy is now considering moving to Olympic Weightlifting, with her sights firmly set on London 2012.
Joy proudly displays her European trophy.
Her father Brian commented, "Everybody in the family is very very proud of Joy. Everybody at the gym is staggered by how quickly she has taken to it and how professional she is. I think it is really important that kids see how drug free the sport is, they actively campaign against drugs which is something that isn't promoted as well in other sports.
"Joy is a real natural and we are so proud of her," he said.
stacey.heaney@jpress.co.uk
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