A sports scholar and weightlifting star made a lasting impression on his Team GB debut before suffering injury heartbreak at an international competition.

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Josh Lynch, a Year 9 pupil at Rydal Penrhos, represented Great Britain for the first time at the European Youth Weightlifting Championships, which took place in Milan, Italy on Wednesday, July 25.

The 14-year-old was competing in the U15 category and held his nerve in the opening stages of the competition, seeing him move into fifth spot in the standings after a 93kg snatch, which was ten kilograms more than his previous personal best.

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He was also one of four competitors that successfully completed all three attempts, which left Josh in buoyant mood heading into the clean and jerk.

Unfortunately for the pupil, he suffered an injury during the warm up which forced him to pull out of the competition after being examined by medics at the facility.

Father Tim Lynch stated that Josh “would have secured a medal” with his planned lists and the performance of other athletes, which heightened the disappointment for the teenage sensation.

Josh, said: I am very appreciative of the chance to compete at the European Youth Weightlifting Champions with Great Britain, and I thought I had a good chance of getting a medal after my performance in the snatch.

“I was prepared to do what was needed to achieve a medal but sadly in the warm up room I suffered an injury to my glute. Things like this happen sometimes but you have to move on and get on with it.

“I will come back bigger, better and stronger in my next competition and I would like to thank everyone for giving me great support throughout training and competition day.”