Young Aviemore powerlifter hoping for reign in Spain
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An Aviemore schoolboy is aiming to be crowned as Spain’s strongest kid tomorrow.
Joel Aragoneses, a S5 pupil at Kingussie High School, is in with a good chance of claiming the under-18 title in the -105kg category at the Campeonato de Espana Junior-Subjunior de Powerlifting Carranque at Toldeo in his native homeland.
The 16-year-old has gone from strength to strength in the sport having just taken up powerlifting a little under a year ago, adding impressive bulk to his physique and developing his explosive power.
He has been lifting some incredible weights at his training base at Aviemore Community Centre’s gym where he also works as a Highland High Life leisure assistant.
Aragoneses – whose parents are both Spanish – goes into tomorrow’s competition in peak condition and he is confident of getting a good result despite being up against older rivals.
Claiming or getting close to his personal bests in the three disciplines of bench press, deadline and squat would put him in real contention in his first major competition.
He told the Strathy: “I am going in to win. Right now I am squatting 230 kilogrammes, benching 120 kilogrammes and deadlifting 280 kilogrammes.
“I really enjoy the adrenalin rush and I am expecting there will be plenty when I am in the lifting arena so I am hoping to lift PBs.”
Aragoneses has been training four times a week with two to two-and-a-hour sessions at a time on the Olympic half-racks in the Aviemore gym. He has been lifting heavier than his official competition PBs going into the Spanish nationals.
Should he win then Aragoneses will be an automatic selection for the Spanish junior powerlifting squad.
He has selected to compete for his homeland should he qualify ahead of Scotland and Team GB.
Aragoneses explained: “I am Spanish - I was born in Spain and lived there all my life until moving here around five years ago.”
His aim is to one day lift the IPF (International Powerlifting Federation) Worlds title and compete at the Olympics.
The Campeonato de Espana Junior-Subjunior de Powerlifting Carranque get under way tomorrow and run until Sunday.
