Surrey student becomes British Weightlifting Champion

A Surrey student has been celebrating after becoming a record-breaking Under-17 96kg British Weightlifting Champion.

Ollie Jackson, in Year 12 at Glyn School in Ewell, set two new British records at the the British Weightlifting 2023 England Age Group Championships, achieving a 107kg snatch and 242kg total to win his age category and take home the medal.

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The 17-year-old from Epsom first took up the sport in 2019, before Covid restrictions put a stop to his training. He then returned to the gym in 2021.

“My dad was living on a narrow boat outside the gym, and we’d go for a weight class together then go for a steak as a little treat,” he explained. 

“It was a fun thing for us to do together, and a great way to spend time with my dad.  Then in February last year, my dad moved and stopped going, so I started going on my own.”

It was Benedict Millson, his coach at Bounce Gym in New Malden, who encouraged Ollie to start competing, and he won his first competition in November 2022, before going on to compete in the British championships and then to win the English.

“There are a group of us from the gym who compete, and without them and my coach, I don’t think I would have got as far as I have,” he said.

“The English Championships went far better than I could have asked for, and I was absolutely buzzing afterwards!”

The achievement gained him an invitation to a British Weightlifting National Youth Squad event, which took place in March at Nottingham University.

“It was a select group of people, about 10 of us from all over the country, ranging downwards from Under-17 to Under-14,” he said. 

“It was great, and the first step into where I want to be.”

Ollie trains five times a week at Bounce, and has the support of his family as well as his gym buddies and coach.

“I don’t think my dad really understands quite how grateful I am for all he has done for me,” he added, “and my grandad takes a huge interest in what I’m doing. My mum is really proud too.”

He has also found support among his fellow students and the staff at Glyn School, a member of the GLF Multi-Academy Trust.

“It’s been great at Glyn,” he continued. “My headteacher, Miss Garrod, has been very supportive. I’m in a great environment there. After January, I’ll move up to the Under-20s, which is a lot harder, but I hope I’ll be able to take things further.”