Strongman goes from strength to strength

A Fylde powerlifter celebrated double success at a European weightlifting championship event as he captured two gold medals.

By Gareth Vickers

Published 2nd Oct 2014, 09:30 BST

Power lifter Yiannis Verenakis in training at St Annes YMCA

Yiannis Verenakis, of Hodder Drive, St Annes, won the bench press and squat lift competitions at the Irish Drug Free Powerlifting Association (IDFPA) Championships in Gorey, Ireland.

The 21-year-old, who works at Fylde coast YMCA said: “The win in the squat has ensured I hold three major squat titles this year.

“Next for me is the West Midlands Bench Press Championship at the end of November. I am really looking forward to it and would like a 150kg bench press.

“Special thanks to Woodhouse Opticians which has sponsored me for three internationals in a year and Jon Lee Plumbing, Anthony Keenan and Ian Mason Electrical for helping towards my funding.”