Wolverhampton's Harbans Bansal has been crowned as the British Bench Press champion for the third time in four years.
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| Harbans Bansal receives his trophy from Manon Bradley, president of the British Drug-Free Power Lifting Association. |
April 4, 2016: Representing the West Midlands at the National Single Lift Championships in Kings Lynn, Bansal re-claimed the title he narrowly missed out on a year ago.
Bansal, from Fallings Park, said: “During the last 12 months I had time to sit down with my coach and training partners and reflect on my strengths and weaknesses.
“I fine-tuned my training, tried different variations and techniques to produce better results on the day of the competition.
“To win the British title this year feels like 12 months of hard work has paid off, because everything I did felt so comfortable on the day.”
It hasn’t been an easy return to the top for Bansal as shoulder and elbow injuries forced him to change his training schedule.
But Bansal, who trains at the Muscle Masters gym, saw hard work pay off as his final lift of 192.5kg was more than 20kg heavier than anyone else in his weight class attempted.
He said: “I had a target weight of around 185kg but I knew, if I really pushed it on the day, I could get 190kg, that was the plan.
“I’m very happy with the way I executed all my lifts, in a cool and relaxed manner.
“Being relaxed makes a massive difference in big competitions, this is something I have had to fine tune over the last 12 months.”
Bansal’s victory will now see him compete at the World Championships in Wales later this year and he has high hopes for more success.
He said: “For the World Championships I already have a plan to aim for 200kg or above.
“I will only think about myself and not the other athletes, as I have a plan and must stick to it. I’m hoping for a top three finish.”