Hackney school weightifting team wins national competition

Omarie Mears, Kim Pham, Delyce Albert Joseph, Akinsoji Akinnawo

A Catholic school in east London has achieved some outstanding results in a national weightlifting contest.

Although it was their first national competition, the team from Cardinal Pole Catholic School in Hackney won in several categories at the British Schools Championships in Oldbury, Birmingham. Omarie Mears and Kim Pham both won first place and British Champion medals;. Delyce Joseph-Albert came second and Akinsoji Akinnawo was third. Along with Rita Kitonyogo they were involved from the start of the competition refereeing the junior competition alongside senior refs.

The pupils from Cardinal Pole are the only school team in the country to complete the junior referee's award and so were called upon to gain valuable experience at national level before competing later in the day. They train twice a week at Cardinal Pole under the guidance of George Manners, senior coach, and have made great progress this year through participation in regular London and South East Opens and representing Hackney in the London Youth Games.

The School is hoping to build on this success and increase the number of participants at next year's competition and hopefully bring back more titles to Hackney.