Richard’s powerlifting profession spanned 40 years.
Final up to date on April 1st, 2024
British powerlifter Phil Richard died immediately two days earlier than his 53rd birthday. Though he had been experiencing some well being points, Richard’s passing was surprising and shocked the powerlifting group in his residence nation of Wales and past.
Richard began his powerlifting journey at 13 years outdated in 1984. He represented his nation on the worldwide stage on the 1988 Worldwide Powerlifting Federation (IPF) World Junior Powerlifting Championships in Luxembourg, lifting within the 52KG class. He didn’t rating a complete however returned the next yr and received gold — the primary of many worldwide titles.
Richard had a fantastic love for the game of powerlifting, competing usually and effectively. He didn’t miss a yr since these humble beginnings on the Welsh Junior Championships. In his lengthy profession, Richard picked up the next accolades, amongst many others:
Phil Richard’s Profession Powerlifting Accolades
- 3 x Geared up Junior World Champion
- 4 x Geared up Masters 1 World Champion
- 4 x Geared up Junior European Champion
- 3 x Geared up Open Western European Champion
- 1 x Geared up Open European Champion
- 10 x Geared up Masters European Champion
- 1 x Basic Masters European Champion
- 1 x Geared up Open Commonwealth Champion
- 10 x Geared up Open British Champion
- 8 x Geared up Masters British Champion
- 3 x Basic Masters British Champion
Richard was additionally happy with having represented Nice Britain on the 2005 World Video games and twice being invited to carry on the UK Arnold in his fifties. Richard was held in nice regard by his fellow powerlifters and was inducted into the European Powerlifting Federation (EPF) Corridor of Fame in 2018.
An important proponent of outfitted powerlifting, Richard was all the time at hand to assist an inexperienced lifter or supply encouragement. When not lifting, Richard might often be discovered at a contest, teaching, recognizing and loading, or refereeing.
Richard was usually the life and soul of the occasion; small in stature however big in spirit and touched the hearts of all those that knew him.
Fellow British lifter Tony Cliffe commented: “[Richard] was inspirational for me as a stalwart of the British staff after I began lifting, he was so supportive, encouraging and the whole lot you’d need from a job mannequin, he was additionally enjoyable to be round and would carry the temper irrespective of the circumstances.”
Richard continued as an lively and profitable powerlifter into his fifties and, on the time of his passing, was Basic British Masters Champion, Geared up European Masters Champion, and Geared up Western European Champion.
Richard is survived by his daughter and two sons and might be sorely missed by the powerlifting group at massive.
Featured picture: @theipf on Instagram