CHIPPENHAM powerlifter Dan Murphy is hoping that he can go on to mix it with the best juniors in the country after earning his first-ever national title.

The 20-year-old, who works as a personal trainer, only took up competitive lifting around 18 months ago but now has his sights set on becoming one of the strongest 100kg weight category juniors around after setting three new records at the British Powerlifting Union (BPU) British Championships.

Murphy completed a 155kg bench press, 220kg squat and 235kg deadlift on his way to glory in Folkestone on August 30-31 and says that his sparkling performance has inspired him to put his weight into more national competition.

“I used to play golf for the county when I was younger and I got into the gym when I was training for that,” said Murphy, who trains at Pro Strength & Fitness in Swindon.

“When I realised that I was a bit good at it, everything went on from there – I competed for the first time in April last year.

“There are lots of different federations that you can compete with and the BPU has been a good one. I wanted to go for an U18 title with them last year but I was just a month too old to qualify for it at the time.

“My aim is to keep doing what I'm doing and become the strongest British junior at the 100kg class for all three lifts, or at least in the bench if I keep progressing.

“I want to say a big thanks to my support team, parents, girlfriend, training partners and also Badboy supplements.”

For more information on Murphy, visit his Facebook page ‘Dan Brunt-Murphy Powerlifter/Trainer’.

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