A TEENAGE powerlifter has set his sights on a world record after medal success in the Far East.

Ed Crossley says he has about a year to secure an under-18 age category world best having lifted his way to silver in the International Powerlifting World Championships in Tokyo in May.

“It’s not completely out of reach,” said Crossley, who lives in Bordon. “It stands at 184kg so I’m about 20 kilos off it at the moment, but because I have a year until I’m 18, I think that’s a realistic goal.”

Coached at the Athlete Movement gym in Liphook by Ben Glasscock, Crossley secured second place in Tokyo despite being mistakenly put in the wrong weight category by Team GB officials, therefore taking on heavier lifters.

His 147.5kg medal-winning lift left him some way behind the winner’s 187.5kg, but he said: “I have lifted more than that before but my head coach said it was better to secure second place rather than risk it with something heavier, so we only did what we needed to do.

“It makes me proud but it’s also a bit frustrating that mistake was made.”

He added: “It was pretty cool when they announced that I got silver. It felt like all the hard work had paid off. I felt like I made everybody proud after all the support I’ve been given. It felt good.

“I’ve got a few things planned for the next few years, it’s inspired me to push even further with powerlifting.”

Crossley, who is studying engineering at South Downs College, only began powerlifting two years ago after being inspired by watching Eddie Hall compete in World’s Strongest Man.

“I was 15 when I first got into powerlifting,” he said. “I was in the gym anyway with boxing and realised I was pretty good at lifting, so I quit boxing. I wasn’t ever really a sporty kid, but I found my feet when I took up powerlifting.

“My first competition was in Portsmouth. I didn’t really know the rules or have any of the equipment and I didn’t really do very well. But I got some good advice from some really strong people. It really motivated me to do well in my next competition.

“I took part in nationals in Moulton College in Northampton last year. After than I was sponsored by my gym, so the gym manager was training me and running my programme. He basically tells me what to do.

“It’s pushed me to compete at another national competition a few months later which led me to being spotted for Team GB.”

World silver medallist Crossley is in good company at Athlete Movement, the gym also being home to Emily Norley, who has also competed internationally in powerlifting, and Adam Bishop, who is officially the second strongest man in Britain.

But the humble teenager admitted: “I was never anything special in sport as a child so it proves that anyone can do anything they want when they put their mind to it.”

For now, Crossley is putting his mind to a world record bid.