Weightlifting and Roundabouts

Milton Keynes is fast becoming a centre of UK sport. The town is the home of Red Bull Racing and the MK Dons, but recently they also hosted the English National Weightlifting Championships.

More than 170 lifters competed in the event across the two days which was hosted at Stantonbury Theatre

Working for British Weightlifting at a Commonwealth Games qualifying round was an exciting experience. Our two-man media team managed to run a 12-hour live stream of the event without any major glitches. Between watching the stream and the screen, there was even time for me to take photos and post social media updates.

Before the event I was reading up about how Rebekah Tiler competed at the Rio Olympics and finished 10th. I even had the chance to chat with them at one point. In the actual competition, she set a new British record despite being only 18 years old.

Among many memories there are two others which I’ll take away from this event. The sub-zero temperatures that resulted in a water main bursting at the facility and the ridiculous number of roundabouts.

No wonder Red Bull decided to base their F1 team here, as the tight and twisty turns make it a suitable test track. Forget Monte Carlo. Milton Keynes could soon become the jewel in the motorsport crown.

This weekend British Weightlifting is heading to Castleford for the Age Group Championships and I’ll be covering that competition as well.