Honouring Olympic weightlifter from Sunderland with annual competition
The competition was established in memory of Nixon Rowell, an Olympic Weightlifting athlete from Southwick.
More than 50 young athletes from across the UK gathered for the fourth annual Nixon Rowell Memorial Competition, hosted by Weights & cakes CIC at Grindon Young People’s Centre.
The event brought together 58 Under 18 lifters from clubs across the North, celebrating personal bests, competition milestones and sporting achievement.
The competition was established in memory of Nixon Rowell, an Olympic Weightlifting athlete from the 1930s who was born and raised in Southwick, where Weights and Cakes is based.
Wearside Weightlifting Club, (Weights & Cakes weightlifting team) enjoyed a successful day, with athletes securing Best Lifter awards, with the Under 15 Girls award going to Olivia Butler, Under 15 Boys awarded to Charlie Conlin and Emily Maw winning Under 17 Girls.
One of the only weightlifting clubs in the area, the name Weights & Cakes is based on the mental health benefits of weightlifting, with people encouraged to have a cuppa, cake and chat after their sessions.
Since it was founded by Zoe Chandler five years ago, the club has grown to be a real community asset.
Zoe , Founder of Wearside Weightlifting and Weights & Cakes CIC, said:"Seeing so many young people supporting one another and celebrating achievements is exactly what this competition is all about. We witnessed incredible performances and plenty of smiles throughout the day."
Thanks were extended to coaches, officials, volunteers and supporters.
Weights & Cakes CIC recently secured significant funding from Postcode Lottery and other investment to expand its community offer, bringing new opportunities for local people through physical activity, skills development and social engagement.
The funding means the club can expand its offering at its base in The King’s Road to create a community-led hub, including a community kitchen and skills development opportunities.