TROWBRIDGE powerlifter Rich Fricker says that he’s received a major confidence boost ahead of the New Year after his show-stopping return from injury.

The 53-year-old factory worker had been sidelined for months after a cut sustained in the workplace became infected, preventing him from training or competing.

But late last month, Fricker set two British Powerlifting Union (BPU) British Masters records as he completed a 137.5kg bench press and 240kg deadlift at the South West Push Pull Record Breakers and Novice Championships at Train Station Gym in Frome.

“I cut my leg at work back in January – I can’t even remember how I did it but I think I bumped into something and it wasn’t even a big cut,” said Fricker.

“But it got infected in March and it got to a stage where I was passing out and couldn’t do anything at all. I had to have it in soft plaster for two months.

“The owner of the gym in Frome (Mark Bentley) sponsors me and asked me if I wanted to do the competition. I wanted to do it as a bit of a guide and I didn’t expect to do so well.

“It’s a big confidence boost for me. I did both lifts three times and I feel like I could have lifted more if I’d wanted to.”

Fricker is no stranger to shining on the international stage and is aiming to make it to next year’s WPC (World Powerlifting Congress) European Championships in Latvia and the World Championships in Portugal.

He added: “I’ve won 15 World titles and 23 European titles. I want to try and get my world record back and hopefully I can do it next year.”

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