Teenage weightlifter heads to Manchester for Euro championships

Leon De Roeck, the 16-year old weightlifting powerhouse who has smashed world record after world record since he emerged on the scene almost two years ago, will compete at the Junior European Championships in Manchester this weekend.

The teenage muscleman is gearing up to fly the Gibraltar flag and impress on the world stage after securing sponsorship from both the Government and the private sector.

The Ministry of Sports is helping Leon via the Elite Athletes provisions and, as announced earlier this week, Grand Home Care is also backing the teenager through sponsorship.

Minister for Sports, Steven Linares, said: “It has to be a partnership; this is the message that I am trying to give to the private sector that they should get involved with the scheme to help individuals who are elite athletes to be able to fulfil their goals.”

“We first heard about this young man some years ago and have admired his achievements from afar,” said Nick Hassan from Grand Home Care.

“The strength, dedication and determination displayed by this 16-year old, should be a lesson to us all and are attributes that resonate with Grand Home Care as a company.”

“He will be a wonderful ambassador for the youth of Gibraltar and an inspiration to them all,” Mr Hassan said.

When Leon returns from the United Kingdom he will get to enjoy a rest period before hopefully travelling to Chicago in September where he will train with one of the best coaches in the world.