Weightlifting: Shelley family excels at heavy lifting

WEIGHTLIFTING in the Saxton household is a family affair, with three members having recently returned from the national championships with medals.

Jay Saxton, of Shelley, said her three children brought home four silver medals between them in the U15 and U17 Australian Weightlifting Championships in Brisbane.

William (15) was second in the U17 class lifting 90kg in the snatch and 116kg in the clean and jerk. This saw him invited to compete in the Commonwealth Youth Games for Australia in September.

Younger brother Oliver (14) came second in the U15 and U17 class, taking home two silver medals, having lifted 52kg in the snatch and 65kg in the clean and jerk.

Sister Charlotte (12) was second in the U15 class, snatching 30kg and lifting 35kg in the clean and jerk. She also won a silver medal.

Their parents and coaches Andrew and Jay Saxton are high achievers in the weightlifting world in their own right. Mr Saxton competed in two Olympics – Seoul and Barcelona – and three Commonwealth Games, and was ranked 12th in the world in 1988. Mrs Saxton competed in four world championships and was ranked 13th.

Mrs Saxton said her children, who are in the State team, achieved personal bests at the championships.