Teenage weightlifters from Shotts power their way to world competition (2025)

Reece Malone and Ged Murphy both took first place in their respective weight categories

Two powerful young weightlifters from Shotts who train together became British champions in different weights when they competed in England recently.

Strongmen, Reece Malone and Ged (Gerard) Murphy both took first place in their respective sub-junior (under-18s) weight categories at the British Classic Powerlifting Championships in Wolverhampton, and in doing so they've earned the right to compete in Central America against the best in the world.

The two friends, who are both 17 years old, beat off the opposition to triumph in the 120kg-and-under and over-120kg weights respectively.

Reece’s proud dad Chris, said: “Both Reece and Ged have only been lifting for less than 18 months. Both of them started lifting around the same time.

“They are both quite shy and quiet laddies. A couple of years ago Reece barely left his room and would sit and play Fortnite all day and night.

“We tried to get him into football but he wasn’t interested.

“Both boys got into boxing for a wee while and the two of them still do it now and again to keep their fitness up.

“But they both got into weightlifting and absolutely loved it. The two of them are big laddies and are just naturally good at it.

“They were pals at school but when they took up weightlifting they each done their own thing at different gyms, it’s just recently they’ve got together and they now train together with the same coach at a gym in Edinburgh.

“They train a lot together now. The Wolverhampton competition was only Reece’s second, he took part in one in Glasgow just over a year ago and he didn’t place or anything but he did really well.

"He was up against guys in their 30s and 40s and beat a few of them. But because of that he qualified for the one in Wolverhampton. Ged was similar, he qualified by taking part in another competition.”

Both young men are former pupils at Calderhead High and are both big guys, Reece is 6ft 1ins and Ged 6ft 3ins. Reece weighs 110kg with Ged tipping the scales at over 150kg.

“The chances of both under-18 champions of the United Kingdom coming from Shotts must be slim,” Chris added. “But when you factor in that both have only been lifting for under 18 months, it’s incredible.

“Both boys hit personal best in their lifts and beat competition from far more experienced lifters from around the UK to claim their titles.”

Thanks to their winning exploits in the Midlands both have now qualified to take part in the World Junior Championships 2025, which will take place in Central America.

Both Ged and Reece have now set their sights on travelling to Costa Rica later this year to compete in the competition with the best from around the globe.

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