Weightlifter Ward lifts a brilliant British bronze medal after an injury-plagued few months
Emerging city weightlifter Samuel Ward won a creditable bronze medal at the British Weightlifting Championships in Birmingham.
Last year Ward (20) proved his national credentials by taking 1st place in the 67kg category at the same event.
He moved into a heavier class in 2025 and in February he claimed an outstanding silver medal at the English National Championships, in his first attempt in the U79kg class.
But in April he suffered a serious injury. During one of his thousands of practice lifts preparing for the British Championships, Ward damaged his rotator cuff muscle in his shoulder.
Supported by his coach Steve Laidlow at the Peterborough Weightlifting Cub in Millfield, Ward worked through his injury. Focus was on arm and leg strength and his technique, but he could not lift until medics gave the all clear for him to resume full training just 3 weeks before the big event.
As with all elite level athletes confidence is key and Ward was not completely confident given he had had such a short time to prepare. But he had lifted well in the week before the competition so it was looking more promising for last weekend.
Intending to Snatch 100kg, 105kg, and then 110kg nerves took their toll and the first lift, a weight he has achieved many times, resulted in a fail. The second lift therefore remained at 100kg and this time he succeeded. With the competition being very tight Samuel needed to add weight and so for his third lift he went for 107kg. Perhaps just a couple of kilos too far and his third lift failed.
On to the Clean and Jerk where the plan was to start at 130kg and add 5kg per lift ending with a weight of a massive 140kg. The Snatch had not gone to plan and so if Samuel was going to achieve anything at all it was imperative that the Clean and Jerk went as intended. And it did. Three clean lifts earning a very creditable bronze medal after an extremely close and hard fought contest. The weights lifted by Ward would have won last year's event.
Next year Ward moves up into the 23 years and under age group where he plans to continue his already impressive development and edge nearer to international selection. Representing his nation will see him follow in the footsteps of his Commonwealth gold medal winning dad Stephen Ward.