Powerlifting: Alexandria strongmen make dazzling debuts in championships

Feb 5 2010 by Marc Mclean, Lennox Herald (main ed)

TWO Alexandria musclemen made storming debuts in the Scottish Powerlifting Championships on Saturday.

David Bole earned first place in the 110kg category – despite only taking up weightlifting six months ago.

And Darren McCarroll was top performer in the 125kg category at Clydebank’s Antonine Sports Centre in what was also his first powerlifting competition.

The pair, who both train at the Marinecraft Gym in Dumbarton, have now booked their places at the British Championships in Bath in April.

David, a door steward at Desire nightclub in Balloch, bench pressed an impressive 125.5kg, squatted 200kg, and completed a 220kg deadlift.

The 40-year-old said: “I was happy with how I did considering I’ve only been weightlifting for six months.

“I’d never been in a gym in my life but it all started a wee while ago through boredom – and encouragement from people like Darren.

“I was absolutely drained at the end of the competition but I’m looking forward to the British Championships now.”

Darren managed a bench press of 160kg, completed a 242.5kg deadlift, and squatted with 272.5kg resting on his back.

The 43-year-old said: “It was only a couple of weeks ago that Thomas (powerlifting champion Tom Moffat) told me to go for it.

“I had only done strongman competitions locally up to that point and obviously never had much time to train properly for the competition.

“But I’m over the moon at how it went, it was the best result I’ve ever had, but the competition was much harder than I thought.

“I couldn’t believe how much it took out of me, my system just crashed after it.

“I’ve qualified for the British now, so I’m going to go for it.”

Clydebank man Andy Cairney, who came second in the World Powerlifting Championships in November, was a guest performer at Saturday’s event. Andy also trains at Dumbarton’s renowned Marinecraft Gym.