Blackwell bound for nationals
• Bridport’s Jake Blackwell has qualified for the under 23 weightlifting nationals in August. Image supplied.
By Daisy Baker,
May 11, 2022
After just a year and a half of competitive weightlifting, Bridport’s Jake Blackwell has made his mark on the sport, with the potential to compete at a Commonwealth or Olympic level in the future.
The 22-year-old recently qualified for the under 23 weightlifting nationals.
He will head to Perth to compete in the Australian Weightlifting Federation’s Junior and Under 23 Championships at the end of August.
Blackwell got his start in the sport after watching a stranger performing lifts at the gym piqued his interest.
He started a conversations with the weightlifter and he put Blackwell in touch with his now-trainer Ron Laycock, a former Olympian.
“He got me into it and started teaching me the movements and it just went from there,” he said.
“He definitely knows what he’s talking about and is a great coach. He encourages you, it’s really good fun.”
Growing up in the North-East, Blackwell played football in Bridport and Scottsdale.
He said weightlifting has been a rewarding challenge.
“I started weightlifting and just fell in love with it and took it up full time because I could see a future in it and I just really enjoy getting into the gym, getting PBs and the people around the club are awesome,” he said.
“I can't wait to see how far I can go in the next few months.”
Blackwell has been recovering from a shoulder injury and said he is grateful to the staff at OsteoStrong in Launceston, who have been central to getting him fit and ready.
“Through their recovery I’ve been able to train a lot more and feel a lot better throughout the sessions.”
He trains around three to four times a week with Laycock at Elite Lifting at Health and Fitness World in Launceston.
His current personal best is a 105kg snatch and then clean and jerk 125kg.
Blackwell said he hopes to reach a 115-120kg snatch and 135-45kg clean and jerk at the Nationals come August.