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British Unequipped Bench Press Championships

Tom Ellingham was the Club's sole entry into the national single lift competition, although he had brought along quite a crowd of supporters to cheer him on. Tom competed for the first time five weeks ago at the Greater London Unequipped Bench Press Championships, where he made all three lifts, finishing with 115kg, to qualify for this competition and also set a Greater London unequipped record.

Tom stuck with a relatively modest opening lift, allowing for the extra scrutiny of the refereeing at National level, and made a strong press with 105kg, for white lights and a good lift. For his next attempt, Tom moved up to 117.5kg, to improve on his personal best, and edge up the divisional record. But a lapse in concentration after his initial drive off his chest, allowed the bar to dip before locking it out. This meant red lights and a failed attempt. But in the final round of the competition, Tom moved up to 120kg, having secured the title in the Junior category, to move himself up into 6th place in the Open competition. This time Tom stayed focused, pressing the weight smoothly, and was awarded the lift with two white lights.

This was good competition best for Tom, in his second competition, and his first National Championships. Tom will now be looking to compete in three-lift, Powerlifting competition later on in the year.

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