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'I used my grief to become powerlifting champion'

The Brain Tumour Charity Will Anders, who has medium length, light brown hair. He is wearing a red tracksuit and wearing medals. He is biting his lip and fist pumping the air in celebration.The Brain Tumour Charity
Will Anders won four gold medals at the Commonwealth Powerlifting Championships this month

A teenage powerlifting champion said the gym had been a lifeline after the death of his father.

Will Anders, from Woodbridge, Suffolk, was unable to look in a mirror after putting on weight and hitting a mental low in 2021.

However, the 18-year-old used his pain as a driving force and won four gold medals at the Commonwealth Powerlifting Championships in South Africa this month.

"I know that everything that I've been through has made me what I am today," he said.

With the "crazy support" of his family, Anders set a personal record when he totalled 622.5kg (98st) across all of his lifts in South Africa.

It followed a tough few years for the teenager after his father died from a brain tumour in December 2020.

The Brain Tumour Charity The Anders family pointing at Rob Anders' OBE medal. They are dressed in smart clothes - with the men in suits and the women in dresses - outside the gates of Buckingham Palace. The gates are black and the palace is a grand, cream colour. All family members are smiling.The Brain Tumour Charity
The Anders family collected Rob Anders' OBE medal at Buckingham Palace following his death

Rob Anders, who served in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary for 30 years, had just been awarded an OBE when he was sent home to be tested for sudden health concerns.

After a series of examinations, doctors told him he had a maximum of 18 months to live.

Will Anders was left having to help his father up and down the stairs or into a wheelchair, and vowed to never feel physically weak again.

It was after his father's funeral he decided he would "get it together" and start going to the gym.

"I realised, what's the point in being alive if I'm not going to do anything and impact people's lives like [dad] did?" Anders said.

'Made me resilient'

After an up-and-down period with the gym and putting on weight, he started powerlifting on New Year's Day in 2023 and managed to lose 12kg (1.88st).

Anders said signing up for his first competition "completely changed my life".

"There's just so much support for you when you're on the platform because everyone understands that you can only do your best," he added.

Almost three years after his father was awarded the OBE for his rescue efforts during a hurricane, Anders attended Buckingham Palace for his investiture.

The 18-year-old said everything he had gone through had made him "what I am today".

He added: "It's made me quite resilient and very determined to the point that if I want something, I'll get it done."

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