Tyrell Stewart does the heavy lifting and needs some light help
It was a mixture of heavy lifting, hours spent in the gym, and the mindset to always do better that helped guide the way for him to this ultimate show of glory.
Read more: Is it safe for children to lift weights?
His coach Steve Kafang, who couldn't be any prouder of him, said weightlifting is a sport that requires high skill to be able to perform well. 'This year was a big year for us,' he said. It all began with Tyrell's first competition in February, where, while performing the snatch as well as the clean and jerk, he lifted a collective 144kg.
The second competition of the year, held in June, was the Gauteng Championships. There, while still performing the snatch and clean and jerk, with a body weight of 62.4kg, Tyrell lifted a sum of 158kg. 'This was built up to the performance at the SA Championships,' explained Kafang.
Held in the Western Cape in July, the SA Championships also saw nothing but the best from this Northcliff High School learner. There, lifting in his second attempt at the snatch, he achieved his Personal Best. All in all, Tyrell ended the competition having lifted a total of 162kg, a performance that ultimately led to him being made Champion of Champions. The title makes him the best athlete in the country in the U17 category.
To show the world his prowess, he is asking for the community's help to assist in sending him to India to compete in the Commonwealth Youth and Junior Championships at the end of this month. 'This is a dream come true and my first international competition and a huge step in my journey as an athlete,' said Tyrell.
Help Tyrell take a snatch at his dreams by following this Back a Buddy link: backabuddy.co.za
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