August 26, 2026 - 171 views
A 22-year-old powerlifter from Penrhyn Bay is preparing to take on some of the Commonwealth’s strongest athletes after earning his first opportunity to represent Wales on the international stage.
James Joy, who works as a leisure assistant for Ffit Conwy, will travel to Winnipeg, Canada, in September for the Commonwealth Powerlifting Championships, which take place from September 17 to 27.
It is a remarkable progression for James, who only discovered powerlifting around three years ago after incorporating strength training into his sprint training.
What began as a way of building strength for competitive sprinting quickly developed into a passion in its own right.
James trained before and after work while developing his technique and strength, and his progress has now taken him from local training sessions to international competition.
His place at the Commonwealth Championships follows a successful performance at the Welsh Championships in April.
Powerlifting is a test of maximum strength across three disciplines – the squat, bench press and deadlift.
Competitors have three attempts at each lift, with their best successful effort in each discipline added together to produce an overall total. Athletes are then ranked against others in their particular weight and age categories.
For James, the squat has become his speciality.
He trains six days a week at Colwyn Leisure Centre, taking just one rest day, and says the facilities there have played an important part in his preparation.
“I train at Colwyn Leisure Centre six days a week, with one day rest. I really enjoy it,” he said.
“The lifting platforms at the centre are high spec and great for training. I am now a squat specialist and am aiming for 270kg for this competition.”
That level of training represents a considerable commitment alongside his job, with James fitting sessions around his working life as he prepares for one of the biggest competitions of his career.
The Commonwealth Championships will bring together powerlifters from across the Commonwealth, providing James with his first opportunity to compete for Wales.
He says the chance to pull on the Welsh colours is something he is particularly proud of.
“I am really proud to be representing Wales. This will be my first event for the country, and I hope there will be more to come!”
His achievement has also been welcomed by colleagues at Ffit Conwy.
Mally Tidswell, Head of Section for Conwy County Borough Council’s Leisure Service, said James's dedication had been impressive to watch.
“We are incredibly proud of James's achievement. His dedication and commitment have been inspiring to see, and everyone at Ffit Conwy wishes him every success as he represents Wales on the international stage.”
For someone who only discovered powerlifting through another sport, James's rapid progress highlights just how quickly a new passion can develop into an international opportunity.
Now, with the Commonwealth Championships approaching, the focus is firmly on training, recovery and getting those three crucial squat, bench press and deadlift attempts right when it matters.
And with a target of 270kg in the squat, James will have a very clear number in his sights when he steps onto the platform in Winnipeg.
