EIGHTEEN months after taking up powerlifting competitively, Scott Webb from Little Rissington has won three gold medals and a silver at the Commonwealth Championships in Poctchefstroom, South Africa.

This was a first international competition for Webb who represented Northern Ireland – he qualifies through his mother.

The competition consists of three elements – Squat, Bench and Deadlift – and medals are awarded for both individual lifts and the Combined Total.

Scott, 20, won gold in the Squat (245kg), Deadlift (272.5kg) and Combined Total (667.5kg) along with a silver in the Bench (150kg).

He competed in the Under-23 juniors' 83kg category.

Although an individual sport there was a team element at the competition and the friendship on display was enormous, not only within each country but within the powerlifting community.

Scott could not have achieved his goals without the help of his sponsors: sports massage therapist Gary Edwards; Hyde House, Stow-on-the-Wold; R & D Walkers Butchers, Moreton-in-Marsh and the Everyone Active Leisure Centres, particularly the one at Bourton-on-the-Water.

Scott is a student at Hartpury College studying for a BSc in strength and conditioning and is currently on a 12-month internship at the college.