CIVIL servant Zoltan Mihalyi took the first step on his journey to becoming a world champion powerlifter again.

Competing in the Southern area qualifying event in London Wembley recently, Zoltan won in his Master 1 125kg category, and also came third in the open class.

Although not fully recovered from a knee injury, Zoltan achieved a creditable 240kg in the squat, followed by a 175kg lift in the bench press and 250kg in the deadlift.

Despite his disappointment with the squat result, he was delighted he is now able to focus on his training and looking forward to representing Great Britain at the European Championships, held in Glasgow, in June.

Zoltan, of Newport, then plans to compete in the World Championships, to be held in Hungary, in October. 

Zoltan had a fantastic period, between 2015-16, in which he won the World, European, British and Southern Counties Championships, as well as the British Drug-Free Powerlifting Championships, in the open division.

A member of the Bonchurch Vectis Weightlifting Club gym, Zoltan works full time and dedicates himself to the sport by training five days a week.

"I feel very lucky with the support I receive from my managers and colleagues, as well as Bonchurch Vectis Weightlifting Club," Zoltan said. 

"Without my support network, it would it be impossible to get back to the top level of athletics and try to win the world title again.

"I work long hours, but I find the time and motivation for training. When you love what you do you, you will always find the time.

“If you are willing to work for it, the sky is the limit.”