Wozza steals Bronze at the British Bench Press championships

Swindon Barbell had 1 competitor in this year’s National Bench Press championships, Polish-born Dawid Wozniak of Freshbrook.

‘Wozza’, as he is commonly known, has been a long time strength athlete with a history in strongman but recently moved over to Powerlifting when he joined Swindon Barbell Club.

Lifting in the 105k seniors (23-40yrs) category, Wozza had tough competition with 18 men all vying for the title.

Weighing in at a light 102.9k, 4kg down on his bodyweight from before Christmas, he didn’t feel at his strongest so his Coach dropped his opener from 160k to 157.5k.  It was a good call, as his opener was solid but not fast.

Upping the second attempt by 5k, Wozza again looked like he would always finish the lift but not as easily as he had in training.

Coach Charlie put his 3rd attempt in at 165k, knowing that she was allowed 2 changes to that weight before the bar was loaded if needed.

As Wozza sat in the waiting area keeping his focus, his Coach checked, double checked, quadruple checked the lineup and realised he was currently sitting in bronze medal.

One competitor before Wozza, up for 165k and at a lighter body weight, could steal the bronze away from him.  But equally, one competitor after Wozza, up for 167.5k also at a lighter bodyweight, if failed, could loose the silver to Wozza.

Hearts were racing as the competitor before went for his 165k and failed.  Wozza had the bronze! No matter what happened next it was his.

So coach changed his third attempt to go for the silver at 167.5k.  Wozza was fired up, his steely blue eyes focused on that bar as he heard his son in the crowd shouting him on.

He stepped up, lowered it to his chest and threw it off as hard as he could.  Unfortunately, he couldn’t quite lock it out and missed it.

Wozza stepped off the platform head in his hands, as his Coach had told him before the lift ‘this is for everything Wozza’, he believed he had failed.  Unbeknownst to him, he still had the bronze.

“It was the best moment being able to tell this incredible competitor that at his first ever National Championships he was going to walk away with the Bronze”, said Coach Charlie Shotton-gale.

“I can’t believe it, it wasn’t expected at all.  I came to this competition to do my best and make my family and team-mates proud.  I get to do that and walk away with the trophy.  I’m so happy”, Dawid exclaimed after the competition.

Wozza has now been invited to the European Bench press championships in August 2017.

If you would like to know more about Powerlifting, Bench press and strength training you can contact Swindon Barbell by emailing lifter@swindonbarbell.com