A DUO from Colchester-based Energyze gym have become British powerlifting champions.

Record-breaking powerlifter Mick Amey and training partner Gracie Besant both enjoyed success at the British Equipped Championships, in York.

Mick's performance sealed his place at the World International Powerlifting Federation (IBF) Championships to be held in Mongolia, in October.

And Gracie, 15, will now compete at the European powerlifting championships in Denmark, in May.

Mick, who has dominated the sport for three decades, landing multiple world and European titles, said: "We're both really set up for really big things, this year.

"It couldn't have gone any better for us.

"We practised everything and got everything absolutely perfect - it was exactly what we wanted.

"We worked together as a team and we were lucky in that we had Dan Ashby, who helped us both and did a brilliant job on the day."

Mick achieved a 170 squat, 100 bench and 200 dead lift so stepped his mark up to 470, at the British Equipped Championships.

The record-breaking 73-year-old from Copford now has an even bigger prize in his sights.

"I'm really in line now for the worlds and I want to go over the 500," said Mick, who will compete at this summer's All-England Championships as a warm up for the World Championships.

"That would be fantastic, because I did 512 in Romania, in 2019.

"If I can go over that again, I shall be very close to the world champion.

"The Worlds is a massive competition.

"I'm chasing the world record squat, which is a massive squat of 215 kilos.

"I'm hoping that I can get near that.

"I have lifted that weight before but that was a few years back."

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Gracie, who attends Manningtree High School, also had a fantastic day in York, breaking East Midland records and also set a new British dead lift record.

"A total of 160 kilos at 15 years old is phenomenal," said Mick, who coaches Gracie at Energyze gym.

"She's way ahead of her time.

"She got a total of 355k, which is unbelievable.

"I think she'll be world champion - I don't think there's any doubt about that.

"The way she's going she'll set world records."

The pair train at Energyze gym in Colchester and Mick says he is grateful for all of the support they have provided.

Mick added: "We've been very, very lucky - the Energize gym in Colchester have been fantastic for us.

"They've given us tremendous support and help and the workers they have been helping me, which has been fantastic."

Gracie and Mick have set up a GoFundMe page, ahead of the World Championships.

To pledge your support, visit their GoFundMe page entitled ‘help mick and gracie to the world championship’.