Danny Howell went along to meet him and discover more.
Eight times British and English weightlifting champion, Karl Grant, opened Codford School Fete, on Saturday 10th July 2004, when a demonstration he gave proved popular with the crowd, especially the children.
Karl (34) holds four British records and is currently rated No.1 British and Commonwealth heavyweight weightlifter. He has twice won bronze medals in the Commonwealth Games: in Kuala Lumpar in 1998 and Manchester in 2002. He is Team Captain for the British Weightlifting Squad and hopes to qualify for the next Commonwealth Games, which will be held in Melbourne in 2006.
Karl has a military background and has travelled about quite a lot before settling at Hanging Langford in the Wylye Valley. He is married to Sarah and has two children, Abbie (8) and Jade (2). He owns two health clubs, one in Luton (where he originally comes from) and one in Canterbury.
Karl is currently training four times a week, in two hour sessions, but as the Games approach he will build up to 12 times or more a week. He has no trainer but is quick to point out he has a Degree in Sports Science and is himself a qualified coach. He writes his own programmes and also those for the rest of the British squad. He says his career has been virtually injury free. except for breaking a vertebra, in 1986, and he was able to carry on as usual after it was treated.
When asked if retirement would be soon approaching, Karl said: “After Melbourne I think that will be it. When you get to 30 you’re pushing retirement and by 2006 I shall be 36. I then intend to go back to judo, which I did before but gave up in case minor injuries interrupted my weightlifting.”
He added: “I would also like to offer my services to other sports, like rugby, showing rugby players, not how to play rugby, but how to put their strength to good use. I’ve also got plans to open another gym club, in Salisbury this time, where I can bring weightlifting skills to local people who are doing health and fitness training.”
Weightlifting Champion Karl Grant lifts 160kg at Codford School Fete, Saturday 10th July 2004.