Wythall teen represents Great Britain at Powerlifting Championships

Dorje Weston, aged 16, is set to represent his country at the prestige championships which are being held in Romania this year on August 29.

Back in April Dorje, who attended Woodrush High School, broke the Great British Under 18 Bench record with 138.5kg at the Gymshark British Junior Championships.

Dorje has managed to balance his gym training and GCSE studies. (Image: White Lights Media.)

The dedicated teen balanced his studies for his GCSE qualifications alongside daily training in the gym which has paid off.

After completing his last GCSE exam on June 20 he then received an official invite to represent Great Britain at an international level.

He said: “Powerlifting has always been something I wanted to do, but no one took me seriously as I’m only short, and more academic not someone who would typically go to the gym and be able to compete professionally.

Dorje has always wanted to do powerlifting. (Image: White Lights Media.)

“I decided I could do both and set out to prove them wrong!

“I soon realised I was stronger than the people around me and with the support of my family, I entered my first competition, winning outright.

“I want to be an inspiration to my young nephew and niece, who live with us and my parents care for full time and show them that they can achieve anything if they work hard and try their best.”

The trip is a self-funded event, so Dorje is appealing to the public to help get him to Romania.

He has set up a fundraising page on GoFundMe which has already reached nearly £1,500.

To donate visit: www.gofundme.com/f/ipf-worlds-powerlifting-championship-romania.

The Harry Bennett Foundation, a charity set up in memory of a Bromsgrove teen to enable sports access to everyone, is kindly paying for Dorje’s coaching fees for the next eight months.