Young Powerhouse lifts award
30 June 2004

Sixteen year-old Peter Kirkbride is aiming to power his way to victory at the forthcoming Commonwealth Youth Games in Australia this November. “I want to win a couple of gold medals at the Games,” confided the young Kilmarnock based weightlifter during a break from training under coach, Charlie Hamilton.

Recent performances would suggest Kirkbride’s on the fast track to success. Currently ranked third in the Commonwealth for his age in the U-77kg class, he has set two British records in the past three months. Among the strong man’s feats has been lifting a staggering 140.5kg in the ‘clean and jerk’ discipline. That’s the equivalent of heaving two average sized men over your head! He also lifted 110kg in the ‘snatch’ event at May’s Scottish U23 Weightlifting Championships. It’s little wonder that one insider recently referred to Kirkbride as “one of Scotland’s brightest ever prospects in the sport.” However, despite having recorded, for his age and weight category, the heaviest lifts in Scottish weightlifting history, the young powerhouse has yet weightier matters on his mind: “I don’t know what the world record is but one day I’ll be doing it,” he predicted.

In recognition of his achievements, the talented lifter has been named ‘Athlete of the Month’ by the Commonwealth Games Council for Scotland in association with The Army and Daily Record. His award of a £200 training grant should give a welcome lift to the glazier with the weighty sporting ambitions. “I’m looking forward to representing Scotland,” beamed Kirkbride.

Article by Colin Hutchison from the Daily Record of 30 June