LEIGH powerlifter Hayden Crook will represent Great Britain at this year’s IPF Classic World Men’s Championships, despite having only taken up the sport last May.

The 22-year-old qualified for the event after coming third at the European Championships in Pilsen, Czech Republic in March. He competed in the under-93kg weight category.

Crook’s rapid rise in powerlifting comes down to both his experience while training as a bodybuilder and his determination to compete in competitive sport.

“I don’t know if anyone else has managed to do that and it’s taken a lot of hard work,” the ex-Bedford High pupil told us. “It’s a very tough sport but I’m aiming hopefully for the top.”

Powerlifting, which is recognised as a World Games and Paralympic sport, consists of performing three weights; a squat, a bench press and a deadlift.

It involves intense physical training and the ex-Bedford High pupil admits it can be difficult fitting in the hours at his local gym.

“I train five days a week for about two to two and half hours and I work full-time at a work house in Leigh doing quality control.

“The hours are quite long. I can be doing 12-hour shifts sometimes so it can be very difficult going to the gym afterwards.”

But Crook believes that competing at the upcoming world championships more than makes up for the sacrifice.

He added: “It’s going to be an incredible experience to compete internationally in a competitive sport. Hopefully I can break into the top five in my category.

“I’m already ranked about 10th in unofficial rankings so breaking into the top five would be an amazing achievement.”

Crook will compete alongside fellow Britons Devan Blackwood and Sion Hughes when the championships kick-off in Salo, Finland on June 5th.