RECORD-BREAKING Grafton Flyford weightlifter Myren Madden is celebrating after being named in the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games weightlifting training squad.
His dream to represent GB at the Olympic Games continues, despite the challenges of training through the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown.
At only 19 years of age, Myren’s focused and unwavering energy for weightlifting, whilst combining his studies at the University of Nottingham undertaking a philosophy degree, is truly inspiring.
With training at home and restrictions at gyms during lockdowns, Myren has shown amazing resilience and being selected for the Commonwealth training squad shows he is not only a talented sportsman but also demonstrates his strength in character and extraordinary motivation.
“It’s an absolute honour to train with such an amazing weightlifting team. I’m only 19 so it’s such a great opportunity which I’m thankful for,” he said.
“The Covid-19 pandemic has hit all corners of society very hard and the sports industry like any other has had to adapt and continue as much as possible.
“My passion for weightlifting is as strong as ever but I couldn’t have done it without the continued support of family, friends, my coach and British Weightlifting (BWL), who help me to steer my path to success.”
Myren represented GB for the second time in December 2019 at the EWF European Youth Championships held in Israel, after another outstanding performance at the British Age Group Championships.
Myren first discovered his talent at RGS High School at just 16 with British records at the British Midland Championships. An outstanding Academy level rugby player, he was part of the rugby first team whilst studying at RGS Worcester.
Now studying at the University of Nottingham, Myren’s sights are firmly placed on his weightlifting dream on the global stage.
His long list of achievements also includes being awarded a place as a Sport Scholar at the University of Nottingham and has also been given a place on the Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS).
Funded by Sport England, it is a partnership between talented athletes, education institutions and the Sport England Talent Programme.
The scheme allows athletes in education to get the very best from their sporting and academic careers without having to choose between the two, providing vital support services.