Aaron’s a great advert for powerlifting in Pembrokeshire

When Aaron Hosking recently won the prestigious Irish Pro Power-lifting championship it certainly confirmed his status as one of top competitors in this he-man sport because only the best 15 competitors across the globe were invited to attend.

His feat in receiving an invitation was all the more praiseworthy because in the previous two years his plans were hindered as he sustained a hernia and a dodgy shoulder but he showed his battling qualities by making a strong come-back to his current level.

Throw in his ten world titles in places as diverse as Helsinki, Coventry, Chicago and Grenoble and it is perhaps easy to see why we are delighted to present him with our 'Star of the Month' award for December 2019, in recognition of his amazing success alongside his promotion of the sport in our county and across Wales, all done without grants or financial assistance of any significance.

Definitely a late starter – but amazing progress!

Yet Aaron only started his involvement in power-lifting a decade ago after previously dabbling with weights as an attempt at building his fitness - and it was then that he met another renowned exponent of the sport in Paul Murphy.

Paul clearly recognised something in Aaron's approach and raw ability - and if you wanted evidence of how Aaron took to it like a duck to water it can be gauged from the fact that within two years he was celebrating his first world title in Chicago!

That was in 2012 and in that competition his best lifts were 300kgs in the Squat, 260kgs in the Dead Lift and a Bench Press of 200kgs for a combined total of 760 kgs - and in the recent Irish event he was able to increase those respective totals to 390kgs, 312.5kgs and 290kgs - an amazing increase to a combined total of 992.5kgs.

But it is good to report that Aaron isn't eager to stay on that total and is already focussing on the 'Magic 1000' at the European Championships held under the auspices of the World Powerlifting Congress next year!

Loves leading his club to greater things

Aaron now leads the Pembrokeshire Powerlifting Club and is there every week night but knows that his old friend and mentor Paul is always available for a chat or advice at their new headquarters in Cresselly, on the old site of the former Castle School.

"When we first started out at Water Street, Pembroke Dock we had five founder members,” Aaron told us, “and that number has now increased to 35, including five lady members that travel together from Ammanford.

"Also to be found are top class lifters like Paul and Andrew Murphy, Haydo Phillips,  Steve Arnold and Sam McLean - but we also have raw novices and others who just come to keep fit."

‘Strong Men’ also use the facilities

Also using the gym's facilities are the 'Strong Man' contingent from our county like Rory Brown, Wayne Rogers and Dean Innes and they already have appropriate equipment like the infamous Atlas Stones, Yokes and Dead Lift.

"They have tried tempting me to compete but I have my hands full at the moment so that has to take top priority, but who knows at some stage," he adds with a chuckle!

And finally . . .

As well as the European Championships next year Aaron also has the ambition to compete in the Olympian Championships in Last Vegas, which are attended by supporters like Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Aaron knows it will be a huge (and costly!) challenge but he is up for it some time in the future - but in the meanwhile he will continue competing when he can but also spend so much time in making sure that the local club continues to thrive.

He is a terrific role model to aspiring powerlifters and that is why we are thrilled to present Aaron Hosking with our special award as a real "Star of the Month' for December 2019!