Six of the brightest young stars of the Toowoomba Weightlifting Association

Big things are happening with the evolving core of the Toowoomba Weightlifting Association. The Chronicle catches up with six young guns set to take the local weightlifting scene by storm.

The young stars of the Toowoomba Weightlifting Association.

WEIGHTLIFTING: There’s something special brewing at the Toowoomba Weightlifting Association.

A young core is sweeping through the ranks of the club, with the results to back it up.

“They’re the lifeblood of any club,” coach Greg Hobl said.

“Hopefully they’re going to stick at it for a few years and go on to bigger and better things.

“We’ve got a good mixture of boys and girls, and a couple of young ones just starting. The future’s looking bright at the moment.

“Weightlifting is a sport where technique is important, and learning that is important before lifting heavy weights.”

The Chronicle caught up with six teenage weightlifters who impressed at the Queensland All Schools Championships.

Bart Steffen. Picture: Kevin Farmer

BART STEFFEN (81kg)

A relative newcomer to the sport makes Steffen’s showing at the Queensland All Schools all the more impressive.

The 16-year-old St Mary’s College student claimed a gold medal in the opens with a combined lift of 188kg (82 snatch/106 clean and jerk).

“I race BMX professionally and my coach got me into the gym, and this was a great place to start,” he said.

“It’s helped a lot taking weightlifting to the next step.

“At the end of 2020 I did my first club comp here and really enjoyed it. I was going well enough so entered into the next comp and it progressed.

Bart Steffen. Picture: Kevin Farmer

“I got the win (at states) which was good, but I didn’t produce too many PBs.

“Next year I’m trying to get to the nationals and get to that next step.”

Bart has been a star on the bike including being chosen to represent Australia, and hopes to continue excelling in both sports.

“It does have its challenges balancing the two, but you just have to tailor it to what you want to achieve in each sport. If one needs to suffer, it does, you just have to keep going on with it.

“I’ve made two Australian finals and have been selected for the worlds.

“They were supposed to be in 2020, but hopefully next year we’ll see wherever that is.”

Holly Souter. Picture: Kevin Farmer

HOLLY SOUTER (55kg)

It seemed like destiny that Holly Souter would follow in her mother’s footsteps at the club.

The Fairholme College student has vivid memories of watching Lisa compete and wanting to do the same.

“I got into it at the end of last year because my mum’s been here and I’ve been around the gym since I was very little,” she said.

“Watching my mum compete and every time I’d be in the gym I’d muck around with the weights, so I was already involved in the gym.

“I’ve enjoyed it every step of the way. It’s basically like one big family here. It’s a happy and exciting place to be. You can express your emotions in the way you lift.”

Holly Souter. Picture: Kevin Farmer

The 13-year-old is coming off the back of a strong states campaign, and has dreams of reaching the pinnacle in the sport.

“At states I came third. It was the third competition I’d ever done so I was pretty happy with that result,” she said.

“I’d like to be able to go to the nationals and to improve my overall strength. Big dreaming here, but the Comm Games or Olympics (is a future goal).

“It’s really enjoyable, a place where you can block everything out and just lift. It’s exhilerating and there’s a great vibe when you hit a PB.”

Archer Turner. Picture: Kevin Farmer

ARCHER TURNER (55kg)

Seeing progress and results first-hand is a massive reward for Archer Turner.

A student at Mary McKillop Catholic College, Archer followed in his father’s footsteps in giving the sport a go.

“I’ve been weightlifting for a year now,” he said.

“My dad did it when he was in high school. He decided to let me have a go and I’ve loved it ever since.

“It’s a lot of heavy lifting at the beginning. It’s a long process and at the end it’s rewarding.

“Greg is always there to help and is always trying to get the best out of us.

“I’ve definitely improved with results and totals and I think I’ve got stronger. It makes me want to keep going.”

Archer Turner. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Archer is taking big strides in a short amount of time, recording an 18kg overall PB at his campaign at Bribie Island.

“In my division I got an 81kg total which was a personal best for me,” he said.

“It’s a great place to train and you can come here any time. Everyone is always there to help and give you tips.”

Tait Stuart. Picture: Kevin Farmer

TAIT STUART (67kg)

One of the more experienced juniors in the club is Tait Stuard.

The 16-year-old from Downlands College continues to evolve in the sport as the weights he lifts continue to rise.

“I’ve been lifting since 2017 so it’s been a while now,” Stuart said.

“My brother who did weightlifting for a long time got involved from playing other sports, so he got me into it.

“It was something new and something beyond (what I was doing).”

Coming third at All Schools in the open category, Tait has a goal of furthering his craft to put himself in a position to challenge for an Olympics spot.

Tait Stuart. Picture: Kevin Farmer

He said the mental aspect of the sport is something he enjoys.

“The 2032 Olympics, I think for what I can do is make a goal to go there for the first time,” he said.

“It’s you vs you. That’s how it all works out. I enjoy the mental aspect and seeing those results.

“It’s a way that you can get away from things, a little something on your to do list.”

Sophie Daley. Picture: Kevin Farmer

SOPHIE DALEY (59kg)

The young lifting career of Sophie Daley is just getting started.

The 14-year-old from Centenary Heights State High School came to the sport from gymnastics just under two years ago, and with a pair of medals at All Schools, is aiming high for the future.

“I used to do gymnastics and I wanted to keep my fitness up,” she said.

“Gymnastics is really strict so I think it was easy to come to something more easygoing.

“I went pretty good and had a PB in clean and jerk. It was pretty good because I just moved up a weight category. I was at the bottom of thew weight category so it was good to place. So far I’ve already made nationals for next year.

“I’ve got my eyes on some big goals to achieve in the future. I definitely want to try and get to the Olympics one day.”

Sophie Daley. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Sophie said she takes inspiration from star lifter Tori Gellagos, who is always keen to pass on her knowledge.

“Tori is one of my inspirations. She’s really good at lifting and she’s been to some big comps,” she said.

“She’s open and she tells me the things she went through to get to where she is now.”

Harvey Steffen. Picture: Kevin Farmer

HARVEY STEFFEN (81kg)

Harvey Steffen is among the newest members of the club.

The 15-year-old St Mary’s College student said his parents encouraged him to join, and he’s glad he did.

“I only started at the beginning of the year so I’m pretty new,” he said.

“Mum and dad were nagging me a bit. I actually really enjoyed it (to start with).

“The constant progression is great. You can always improve.”

“It’s a good community and has a good vibe.”

Harvey Steffen. Picture: Kevin Farmer

A fourth at All Schools has spurred on Harvey as he chases a personal target before the holiday season.

“I want to snatch over 50kg before Christmas. With Greg I can see a pathway to getting to that goal,” he said.

“I’m focused on my technique and getting that right, and then the weights will come.

“Hopefully I’ll have a go at states next year. They’re all good people here and they’re all nice.”