African Champs medal sets tone for ambitious weightlifter Will Swart

Fairly new on the scene, Swart has made great strides in the sport and already has quite a busy schedule of international as well as local tournaments pencilled in for the rest of the year. 

Ahead of the Gauteng Championships this weekend, Swart told SABC Sport that the coming weeks are going to require focus. 

"Up next for me is just a period of rest. I've stayed in Mauritius, which was great, but the next competition for me is Gauteng Champs, followed by Commonwealth Champs in August," said Swart.

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Swart noted a few areas of improvement, particularly on his snatch upon reflection soon after competing in Mauritius. 

"My preparation for the competition was not the best because I struggled with injury and illness in the lead up to the event, but luckily I felt good on competition day.

"I went into the competition wanting to achieve personal bests, but I didn't perform how I wanted to in the snatch event, although I made up for it in other events," explained the ambitious weightlifter.  

The 27-year-old now holds the SA record on the clean and jerk at 180kg.  

"In the clean and jerk, I opened on 170kg, but unfortunately, I missed it. However, I was successful on the second attempt, which secured me second position. 

"I attempted 180kg for my third attempt because I had nothing to lose and I really wanted to set a new South African record, which I did."

Swart says he is confident of finishing first in future African Championships, and this now sets the tone for the rest of the year.