The 2025 European Masters Weightlifting Championships, held from May 2nd to 10th at the Grand Blue Fafa Hotel Resort in Golem/Dürres, Albania, showcased the dedication and prowess of Masters athletes from across Europe. Among the competitors were four Welsh representatives who made up the participants from Great Britian, with each of them delivering commendable performances, reflecting the strength and depth of the Weightlifting Wales' Masters community.

This prestigious event brought together athletes aged 35 and above, competing across the Masters age groups and weight categories. The championships not only celebrated athletic excellence but also the enduring commitment of Masters athletes to the sport of weightlifting. Welsh lifters have consistently demonstrated excellence in Masters weightlifting, and the 2025 championships were no exception, with two medals being taken back home to Wales. These sorts of achievements outline the effectiveness of Weightlifting Wales' community programs that fosters athletic growth at all levels and ages, such as the highly successful nifty 60’s programme run in Anglesey, North Wales.

First up we had Gwyn Pierce from Weightlifting Wales licensed club, Holyhead and Anglesey Weightlifting and Fitness Centre (HAWFC), who represented Great Britain in the Men’s 65-70 Years age group, 55kg category. At over 60 years of age, Gwyn was able to successfully lift a snatch of 50kg for his first attempt, followed by a best clean and jerk lift of 61kg. This remarkably lead to a combined total of 111kg, securing him 1st place in his category and getting hold of a gold medal. An amazing performance by Gywyn, to back up his gold he achieved in last year’s European Masters Championships in Norway.

Also, from HAWFC competing at this year’s European Masters was Susan Williams, who competing in the Ladies’ 60-65 Years age group, 81kg category, delivered a commendable performance by finishing in 2nd place and receiving a worthy silver medal. This was from lifts of 37kg in the snatch, and 62kg in the clean and jerk, which with a 99kg total to put her just ahead of Ireland's Priscilla O'Sullivan, who totalled 98kg and secured bronze. In such a competitive group, which saw Italy's Susana Mariela Perrone end up taking the gold, Susan can look on a great deal of pride by adding to her impressive track record in Masters weightlifting with a silver medal. Notably, Susan previously clinched gold in the same category at the 2024 European Masters Championships, but came just short of defending it this time round.

Elsewhere, Tom Jolly from Weightlifting Wales licensed club, Club646 Weightlifting, snatch a best lift of 105kg, and concluded with a successful lift of 136kg in the clean and jerk. Finishing with a combined total of 241kg, this placed Tom with a 4th place in his category of M40, 89kg weight class. However, Tom’s total was just 6kg shy of the eventual bronze medallist, Vitezslav Maruska from the Czech Republic, who totalled 247kg. This close margin underscores the competitive nature of such an international event, and thus outlining Tom’s position among the top contenders. 

Finally, the other Welsh athletes competing in Albania representing represented Great Britain saw Lindsay Atkinson in the Women’s 35-40 age group, 59kg category. Lindsay successfully lifted 58kg on her first snatch attempt and 61kg on her second, but unfortunately attempted 63kg on her third lift but did not complete it. In term of the clean and jerk, she opened with a successful 73kg lift, followed by a 76kg lift, but again her final attempt at 78kg was unsuccessful. Still her combined total of 137kg was an equalling personal best, in which expressed her outpouring of satisfaction with her performance on social media, sharing her delight of equalling her PB’s.

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These achievements at the European Masters Championships but our Welsh athletes serve as an inspiration for both current and aspiring Masters athletes in Wales. Weightlifting Wales remains committed to supporting its athletes through it’s collaborations with its licensed clubs, competitive opportunities, and community engagement initiatives. All are ways in which we are continually looking at expanding our Masters community, and we can’t wait to showcase this talent when we host our Welsh Masters Championships in September at Haverfordwest.