Rich Fricker

It was business as usual for Trowbridge factory worker Rich Fricker when he competed in the British powerlifting championships.

Fricker, who works for Gainsborough bed company, entered the championships at Bath University despite a knee injury which will require surgery.

A scan revealed Fricker had two tears in the cartilage in his left knee, but despite this he was given the all-clear to compete.

He competed four weeks ago at the English championships in Swansea, which he won.

This was a step up in class and although still down on his usual weights, he was well up on the total he produced at Swansea.

Fricker put up a total of 640 kilos which was over 100 kilos better than at the English championships.

He got a good lift signal on all three lifts so was still lifting well within himself.

Fricker squatted 250 kilos, bench pressed 155 kilos and dead-lifted 250 kilos, which although nowhere near his world records was, he says, a step in the right direction.

He is lifting in the European championships in Germany at the end of June and is confident that with nine weeks solid training he should retain his European title which he has held for four years.

Fricker is looking for a sponsor to help with the cost of travelling and staying in Germany for the championships as powerlifting is an amateur sport.

Fricker's record to date is impressive and includes 14 British titles, nine European titles and seven world titles.

He has broken over 50 world records and currently holds five world records, as well as numerous regional titles and strong man competitions.

If all goes well with the knee operation later this year, Fricker is looking to continue lifting next year and then to retire after next year's World Championships in Las Vegas.

2:15pm Saturday 26th April 2008

Print

Email this