Webster and Tiler Selected for British Olympic Weightlifting Team
Team GB announced this British weightlifters Rebekah Tiler and Sonny Webster make their Olympic debut in Rio de Janeiro. Teen sensation Rebekah Tiler will compete in the women's -69kg category, while Sonny Webster, 22, will fly the flag for Great Britain in the men's -94kg category.
Tiler, 17, from Keighley, West Yorkshire, will be one of the youngest athletes for Team GB in the Summer Olympics. She will be the reigning British Champion after setting two British records in the last British Championships. She is also a gold medalist at the Youth Commonwealth Games. Sonny Webster is also the current British champion and finished fifth in the 2014 Commonwealth Games as well as being the British U23 record holder.
Commenting on her selection for Rio, Tiler said:
“I'm so excited and honored to represent Team GB in Rio this summer. It's a dream come true and something I've always wanted since I started playing. The next few weeks of preparation are so important and … I concentrate 100% on getting to Rio in the best possible shape. "
Bristolian Webster also commented:
“The Olympic Games are undoubtedly the greatest stage for sport. I've trained well and my recent performance in the British Championships gave me a fantastic platform to build on. the next few weeks of preparation are absolutely crucial. "
Former favorite Zoe Smith was taken out of the race with a dislocated shoulder at the British Championships last month. Smith expressed disappointment in not representing Team GB at the Games in an Instagram post today, but wished Tiler the best of luck at the Summer Games.
Tommy Yule, the Performance Director at British Weightlifting, has expressed pride in the selection of Tiler and Webster. In a statement, Yule commended her recent progress and personal bests in recent national and international competitions, stating that The focus of all coaches is now on giving the best chance of a good performance in Rio.
Great Britain has won seven medals in Olympic weightlifting – one gold, three silver and three bronze. The youngest was won by David Mercer in Los Angeles in 1984.
The 2016 Olympic Games will take place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from August 5th to 21st.
The Post Webster and Tiler Selected for British Olympic Weightlifting Team first appeared on Breaking Muscle.