Best Lifter Accolade For Navy Leaders Champion
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Powerlifter, Royal Navy submariner, and Navy Leaders champion Wesley McGuinness has shone again: this time at the South West Regional Championships.
On Saturday, Petty Officer Wes proudly represented the Royal Navy at the South West Regional Powerlifting Championships, held at the Power Building Gym in Plymouth. Competing in the under 105kg category, Wes delivered a standout performance, achieving a total lift of 702.5kg.
This impressive total included a 265kg squat, marking a 10kg personal best, and a 197.5kg bench press, also a 12.5kg personal best.
His performance represents a total improvement of 27.5kg since returning from a significant injury – a torn right distal bicep tendon. His resilience and dedication were rewarded with first place in the under 105kg category and the title of “Best Male Lifter” at the event.
Read our in-depth feature on Wesley’s life and career — including the tale of his gold-medal triumph:
Good things come to those who (lift) weight!
Wes now sets his sights on the international stage: soon he represents Team GB at the IPF World Bench Press Championships in Drammen, Norway, an event which starts next weekend, and which will be streamed live. It’s the sixth time he’s been chosen to lift for his country.
“I was absolutely delighted to receive the news,” said Wes a few weeks ago on learning his selection had been confirmed.
“Although I had been named as a reserve for the past six to seven weeks, I remained focused, committed to my training, and hopeful that the opportunity would arise. That dedication has paid off.”
He was keen to extend his gratitude to those who have supported him throughout his journey. “I would like to thank Navy Leaders for their unwavering support this year — without them, none of this would have been possible.”
In other news, Wes has been confirmed as a member of the organising committee for the first-ever British Powerlifting Hands Across the Sea Championships 2025.
This groundbreaking event styled as “bridge between lifters across continents” will comprise of U.K. and U.S. athletes. Scheduled for November 22, it is intended to showcase international talent, and celebrate the strength of the global powerlifting community.
Wes is also waiting to hear whether he’s won selection to represent Great Britain for the European Championships in Malta in September.
At the start of April Wes scooped a gold medal at the 2025 English Bench Press Championships. The powerhouse grabbed the top spot on the podium with a personal milestone: he achieved a 5kg personal best of 200kg, a weight that also represented the heaviest bench press ever from a Royal Navy athlete at a British powerlifting event.
In February this year he scooped a bronze medal in Cardiff, competing at the British Powerlifting Bench Press National Championships despite being in the early stages of his training programme targeting success in Norway.
And in Sun City, South Africa in October 2024 he won a gold medal, triumphing in the 105kg bench press category at the International Powerlifting Federation Commonwealth Championships.