POWERLIFTER Gavin Ripley has his sights set on a place in the British Championships later in the year -- and has produced a massive lift as he prepares for his title bid.

Gavin, a member of Keighley Weightlifting and Powerlifting Club, based at 'The Gym' in Devonshire Street, recently took part in the Masters of Yorkshire and North East at the Gateshead International sports Centre. He was a guest lifter at the competition and turned in a combined lift of 670kg (1,476lb).

It was his first competition for some time as he prepares for the Yorkshire and North East Senior Championships in March. At that competition he aims to lift the qualifying weight of 690kg to qualify for the British Senior Championships later in the year.

Club chairman, Stuart McConville, said: "It is very difficult to qualify for the British Seniors event, but with a lift of 670kg under his belt Gavin is well on the way. If he continues to improve his three lifts steadily his should achieve his ambition of reaching the British Championships."

His lifts at Gateshead in the 90kg bodyweight class were: 265kg (584lb) back squat, 160kg (352lb) bench press and a 245kg (540lb) dead lift.