Competition Report from the A/BPU Single Lifts British Championships 2025 at the FitXpo, Bolton Arena

What a season this has been! Qualifiers are STILL running, 220+ people International team going to Poland, and we just ran the single lift championships at FitXpo.

This was our third time hosting Bench and Deadlift Nationals within the FitXpo event, and even with the new venue, this was definitely the smoothest. Everything from weigh ins to setting up was easy (easy is a relative term here, Sunday was still a 22 hour workday for us). The crew was kind, hard working and, most importantly, there for the lifters!

Competition itself was as usual highs and lows, disappointments and moments of triumph. That is what sports are about! We saw some interesting battles, like open -90kg class in ABPU, or M3 -110kg deadlift record changing hands 3 times, and one tough battle for medals in M6 class!

Mentioning lifters specifically sometimes seems in justice for others, but we have to mention the two ginger bench menaces, our own crew member Ed Holt who benched 305kg, and Iain ‘Big Red’ Connor who is now back from 4 year hiatus and pushing for a 400kg bench!

It was equally fantastic seeing returning faces like Tess and Randall, people who lifted, left, and are now back. Bouncy energy of Lil’ Lily Churchyard, teenage sensations Greg Pearson and Izzy Simper, the unassuming assassin Beckie Hebson, Cheska who was part of international teams already 6 years ago, and hundred others. There are too many to mention.

Sufficient to say, to all of you who failed, succeeded, left home hungry for more and who felt like they had their moment in limelight, we do it for you! Thank you for showing up and doing your best!

2 weeks to Europeans, 7 weeks to Brits. See you all there.

Fish out!

PS. photos courtesy of shotslikesumo. If you love them (you should) go to shotslikesumo website and order your package!