THE Strength Academy Wales (SAW) centre in Haverfordwest has lifted the bar once more – with one of the coaches leading the way, writes Fraser Watson.

Owain Wyn Rowlands, who assists head coach and SAW founder Simon Roach in tutoring youngsters at the centre, was victorious earlier this month at the Welsh Senior National Championships, held at the Welsh Institute of Sport in Sophia Gardens, Cardiff.

The 25-year-old, competing in the 77 kilogram category, performed a snatch lift of 111kg, and a clean and jerk of 141kg, for an overall total of 252kg.

This was not only enough for a competitive personal best, but saw him finish first in his category and made him the best overall ‘pound for pound’ lifter in the event.

And as a result, Owain, who defied niggling wrist and quadriceps injuries to compete in Cardiff, has now qualified for the British Championships at the Ricoh Arena, Coventry, in June.

“That event is my next big target,” he said.

“I was a bit restricted in training during the two months leading up to the Welsh Championships, so I’m confident that if I can stay fit I can lift heavier in June.”

And Owain, who is already a member of the Welsh squad, admitted he has ambitions far beyond this summer.

He needs to up his competitive personal best to 258kg in order to compete at the annual Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships in India this October.

“I want to come away from the British (Championships) having made the qualifying standard for the Commonwealth, and also having made elite squad level which makes me eligible for funding.”

If Owain is selected for India, he will join his Welsh teammates for a one month long training camp at the Olympic Centre in Poland in October.

But his ultimate goal will hopefully culminate in 2018, with an appearance at the Commonwealth Games in the Gold Coast, Australia.

“My overall plan is to compete there. That’s what I’m building towards and I’ve set myself little goals within the process.

“The qualifying standard for that is 289kg I believe. But I have two and a half years which is enough time to make up the ground if I dedicate myself.”

But Owain, who trains six times a week at the SAW after moving to Haverfordwest from Anglesey, is not the only national success story to have emerged from the centre in recent times.

Four Pembrokeshire junior lifters - Naomi Pearce, Alex John, Anita Madan and Chloe Hood, have been selected to compete for the Welsh National team in the Junior Battle, to be held in Austria, in June.

“A lot of our members, especially juniors, have come on tremendously in the last six months,” said Owain.

“Weightlifting in Pembrokeshire is in good stead, and we are capable of dominating national events in the near future.”