Victory tastes sweet for 'jammy' Louise Webster

The 30-year-old, clinched victory in 75kg snatch category at the event in Manchester's Wythenshawe Forum.

Webster, a former member of Wolverhampton & Bilston Athletics Club, overcame an early bout of nerves to triumph after sticking to her pre-lift ritual.

She said: "I now have a ritual that my friend suggested where I eat jam ring biscuits before the snatch and the clean and jerk.

"I warmed up well for the competition, starting my opening lift with 78kg. I was nervous for my first lift and unfortunately I dropped the snatch behind which resulted in a failed attempt

"I went into the second attempt at the same weight and I was successful, this eased the nerves as it meant I could take part in the clean and jerk.

"As I left the platform there was a quick discussion with my coach, Gian Singh Cheema, on what weight my final attempt would be. I had initially said 81kg, but he thought 82kg.

"I agreed with him as at times like this your coach having confidence in your lifting is sometimes all you need. I was successful, which resulted in a competition personal best."

But the march to victory was still littered with problems, as Webster found herself under pressure again in the clean and jerk.

She added: "For my opening lift of 105kg, I didn't clean the weight as easily as I had hoped and unfortunately I didn't manage a complete lock out of the jerk, so it was a failed lift.

"I tried not to panic as this is a weight I am more than capable of.

"I went out and started my second attempt at 105kg I cleaned the weight much better this time, however, as I jerked my right elbow failed to lock out completely and again it was a failed lift.

"The pressure was on because if I failed to complete my last lift I would have been out of the competition.

"I had two minutes between each attempt and I sat at the side of the stage composing myself and preparing for the next lift.

"I approached the bar set up and lifted the weight. I cleaned it well and as the bar was on my shoulders.

"I jerked the weight and I knew it was a much better lift, the judges gave the down signal and the relief when three white lights flashed up was unbelievable.

"I let out a little cheer and walked back to my coach, who I apologised to for taking three attempts to lift a weight that should of taken one. He just said, 'why didn't you do that on the first attempt?'"

Webster switched to weightlifting after a stint as a runner and then a hammer thrower for Wolverhampton & Bilston.

She said: "As part of the training for hammer I needed to get stronger and with the help and support of my coach, Stephen Pearson, I managed too.

"He then he sent me off to see a weightlifting coach as he said I would have more success there.

"I started weightlifting in February 2014 and I have been very lucky to experience some amazing opportunities in such a short space of time.

"I have trained with the Indian national squad that went to the Commonwealth games and I was also extremely lucky that I went out to India and trained in their national camp and was able to experience training as a full-time athlete

"Although, at times, it gets very frustrating I have thoroughly enjoyed the challenge that it brings.

Another Warley lifter, Cyrille Fagat, joined Webster at the English Championships although he had to compete as a guest.

Fagat, 20, moved from Cameroon to Glasglow in 2014 and started weightlifting at the age of 14 while he was still in secondary school.

He said: "Weightlifting was not really ever my plan, but I got into it after admiring a picture of a relative who was also a weightlifter.

"I was brought to Warley Weightlifting Club by a training mate, who I met at Birmingham University and I began attending and working with my coach, Gian Singh Cheema, in December 2014.

"After I started my training at the club I competed in many central championships, each of which I won, most recently at the Central Championships.

"I won the trophy for best male lifter in the region."Last year I participated in the British Senior Championships as a guest and I also won the British Junior Championships at Crystal Palace."

Fagat competed in a new body weight category in the 94kilogram class after moving up from the 85kg class, and added:"It was not a good day for me at the English Championships.

"I snatched 145kg but failed all my clean and jerks at 185kg."

Both Fagat and Webster have received training from former Commonwealth Games competitor Cheema.

Cheema, who took bronze in the games held in Delhi in 1982, said: "The both train very hard.

"Louise trains four times a week, with each session lasting an hour-and-a half. I'm really proud of them both."

The club, which based at the Harry Mitchell Leisure Club, Broomfields, has been running for 50 years and currently has around 10 members.

For further information on the club, visit www.britishweightlifting.org/clubs/warley-weightlifting-club/.