29 June 2014
Former student Yiannis Verenakis started powerlifting in 2012 after a torn knee playing football. During his rehabilitation he found a real enjoyment in lifting things! From there, things took off.
A member of staff from the YMCA, where Yiannis worked, introduced him to powerlifting. His first competition was in September 2012 where he won his age group and in the following March, won his first 2 British titles in the squat and the bench press. He was further selected to go to the Ukraine for Team GB to compete at the European Championships where he placed 2nd in the under 90kg junior squat and 3rd in the bench press.
Yiannis next went up a weight class to chase a British record and had two competitions in two months (BDFPA Northern and the BDFPA North east), winning them both. This past March, he further won the BDFA British Squat (setting the British record), bench and deadlift and got a place on the GB team for the world championship in Germany. Yiannis said, “This was a great experience for me and I loved every moment. I won 1st place in the junior under 100kg squat, got a British record and came 2nd in the bench press.”
We are very proud of all our students
, past and present, and their achievements!
Yiannis attended Lytham High until completed his GCSEs in 2009.
