Chris says:

I'm 19 and from Doncaster. I was registered blind at the age of 4 and am currently studying Level 3 Personal Training at RNC in Hereford. I also love doing strongman training and competitions. I had to return home during lockdown between March-August but am now back at the RNC to restart my studies and training.

The training so far has paid off as, in September 2020, I came second in West Yorkshire's Strongest Man and Woman 2020 (see updates) and my next competition is England's Most Powerful Man 2020 on October 3-4 in Doncaster.

Please support me in raising funds for a vital upgrade of RNC's student gym which I use daily as part of my Level 3 course and also to train for my own fitness, along with the other students at the College. Gym equipment is expensive so we really need your support!

My personal best for deadlifting has gone up from 200kgs to 250kgs and the one-to-one training with nationally acclaimed strongman, Andrew Lumley at his gym 'Viking Power & Strength' over the summer really improved my strength. From now on I'll be working in the RNC student gym - for which I'm fundraising - with the Sports Academy team to keep increasing my strength.

I am determined to raise as much money as possible for my College gym and I want to show others with visual impairments that there are no boundaries and anything is possible.

Big thanks go to my shirt sponsors: ABC Print, The Golden Galleon, Humfrys & Symonds, Kwikfit (Hereford), The Licensing Guys and Powergrip Sport.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Update | 6 September 2020 - West Yorkshire's Strongest Man and Woman 2020

At Chris' first competition last year - Doncaster's Strongest Man 2019 - he came in at eleventh place but Chris' dedication to training during lockdown has really paid off with a podium finish (second place) at West Yorkshire's Strongest Man and Woman competition. This is even more impressive, given that Chris was the only competitor with a visual impairment.

Click the link below to watch a short film of Chris taking part in the competition.

Watch Chris take part in West Yorkshire's Strongest Man and Woman September 2020

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Update | 4 October 2020 - England's Most Powerful 2020

Chris's day didn't quite go to plan when a back injury struck during the competition. Despite suffering, Chris completed all events and came in at a very creditable 15th place in a field of 30 competitors.

Chris put in a fantastic performance under the circumstances and following some well deserved rest and recuperation will be back in training and giving it 100%, ready for the next challenge.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Update | 18 December 2020 - World's Strongest Disabled Man 2020

Just two days after Christmas, Chris, will be focused and in action again, this time competing in the Worlds Strongest Disabled Man.

The event - on Sunday 27 December - is being held virtually across the world, with UK competitors gathering at ATX Gym in Nailsea, Bristol, and parallel events on the same day in Iceland, Sweden, America and Australia.

Being an elite sport, the competition can still go ahead in this closed format, under pandemic guidelines, and with no spectators on site.

Update | 27 December 2020 - World's Strongest Disabled Man 2020

I'm thrilled to report that I placed fourth overall in the international competition and third among the UK competitors.

I feel great, its a really good feeling to have taken part in all three competitions - I really didn't think we'd pull it off given the many ups and downs over the last year but, I'm thrilled to have taken part and picked up some trophies along the way. I'd really like to thank my trainer back in Doncaster, Andrew Lumley of Viking Power & Strength for his support and encouragement and to Aaron Rees, my teacher at RNC.

I'm now looking forward to UK competitions in Suffolk and Doncaster in 2021 and there's a possibility I might get to attend the 'Arnold Classic' in the USA. Watch this space.

In the meantime, it's not too late to donate. Thanks for all of your support.

The picture below shows me holding my 3rd place trophy from the latest competition.

The second picture below shows me with professional strongman, Ryan England, who refereed the competition.