Two young athletes have been selected for the UK team heading for Rio.
Team GB announced it British weightlifters Rebekah Tiler and Sonny Webster will make their Olympic debuts in Rio de Janeiro. Teen Sensation Rebekah Tiler is set to compete in the female -69kg category, while 22-year-old Sonny Webster will be holding the British flag in the male -94kg category.
Tiller, 17, from Kayley, West Yorkshire, will be one of Team GB’s youngest athletes at the Olympics this summer. She appears as the British champion who won two British records in the recent UK championship. She is also the winner of the Youth Federation’s gold medal. Sonny Webster is similarly the current British champion, finishing fifth in the 2014 Commonwealth Games and is the record holder for the U23 UK.
On her choice for Rio, Tiller commented:
“I’m really looking forward to representing Team GB in Rio this summer. It’s a dream come true and something I’ve always wanted since I entered the sport. Preparation for the next few weeks is very important and I’m 100% focused on ensuring I’m at the best I could potentially head to Rio.”
Webster from Bristol commented similarly:
“The Olympics are undoubtedly the biggest stage of the sport. I’ve trained a lot, but my recent performance at the British Championships has given me a great platform based on me. Preparing for the next few weeks is absolutely important.”
Former female favourite Zoe Smith was taken away from running on a dislocated shoulder At the British Championships last month. Smith expressed his disappointment in his Instagram post today that he will not represent Team GB in the game, but wished Tyler good luck in the summer game.
UK weightlifting performance director Tommy Yule has expressed his pride in Tiler and Webster’s choices. In a statement, Yule praised and stated it for his recent advances and personal best efforts at recent national and international conferences. All coaching focus will give you the best chance to work well in Rio.
The UK won seven medals in Olympic weightlifting. It’s one gold, three silver, and three bronze. The latest one was won by David Mercer of Los Angeles in 1984.
The 2016 Olympics will be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil from August 5th to 21st.
