Shelley’s Ox Weightlifting celebrates medal haul at state and national championships

OX Weightlifting Club is celebrating a run of impressive results at state and national competitions over the last two weeks.

The Shelley-based club had eight members compete at the recent Australian Weightlifting Federation Under-15 and 17 Championships in Guildford and the WA State Junior and Senior Championships in Gwelup.

Nina Kowalewski and Olie Saxton both claimed gold in the F63 and M69 divisions respectively, while Rourke Turton and Charlotte Saxton both claimed bronze medals in the M85 and F53 divisions.

The club’s coaches Andy and Jay Saxton also served as the state team coaches during the meet and helped the Under 17 girls to their first national shield since 1994.

Jay Saxton, who also served as team manager, said it was a fulfilling effort from the whole team.

“You can’t win the group without the individual performances. I think most people think weightlifting is individual, but sometimes there’s a team element,” she said.

At last weekend’s state championships, Will Saxton joined his younger brother Olie and Rourke Turton in representing the club and all three performed admirably.

The elder Saxton needed to total 237kg to secure his place at the Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires in October and although he fell just short, he was still able to win the Junior and Senior 77kg title.

His brother broke a state record on his way to winning the Junior 69kg title, while Turton claimed the 85kg title.