A local powerlifter is enjoying the taste of success following a brilliant performance.

Aaron Hoskings, of Cresselly, won the Irish Pro Weightlifting competition after beating 45 athletes to claim the prize.

The competition was held in the town of Limerick in the Republic of Ireland on September 21.

Aaron was selected by the WPC World Powerlifting congress, the sports governing body.

Most athletes train really hard in the build-up to competitions, making sure any weak points are sorted out before the big day.

Training was going well for Aaron; he was looking forward to the competition.

However, eight weeks into his 14-week training regime disaster struck.

“Five weeks prior to the competition I lost the end of my big toe, dropping a 25kg weight on it,” he explained.

As a result, he had to have plastic surgery and take two weeks off training.

But against all the odds, Aaron got himself fit and ready for the competition, an experience and atmosphere that he described as ‘unbelievable’.

“The experience was unbelievable, I was there with some of the biggest names and biggest lifters around the world,” he said.

“The pressure was off me because I hadn’t lifted competitively for over two years, so I just went out there and enjoyed it and came home with the win.

“The atmosphere was unbelievable, there was a massive crowd there and being in Ireland all the equipment and spectators and referees, everything was all top notch standard.

“You couldn’t knock it for anything, everything was there, anything you wanted to ask, it was all there.”

The success was even sweeter as Aaron also celebrated his birthday on the same weekend as his win.

“I enjoyed myself even more because, after lifting on the Saturday, Sunday was my birthday, so we partied on Sunday especially with the win as well,” he said.

“I enjoyed Ireland, I always enjoy the competitions. I went to the same competition two years ago and I came third. I knew I had a win in me.”

Aaron later talked about how tough the competition is and how he didn’t want give up powerlifting.

“I just didn’t want to give up on the sport completely as I had almost been at the point of being at world level.

“I’d won British, European and World Championships and broken British, World and European records for the last eight years.

“But the Pro competitions across all federations are where only the best of the best get picked.

“So if you want to be number one, you have to be in this competition.”

And what advice would Aaron give to anyone thinking of taking part in a similar competition?

“Anyone who wants to take part or wants to achieve something as big as that, don’t stop working hard and don’t give up on your goals,” he remarked.

“Don’t think you aren’t good enough to get into the position where you want to be. Keep training, keep pushing and never give up.”

Finally he gave thanks to all those who had made his win possible.

“I would like to thank everybody at the British Powerlifting Union for their support; my teammates at Pembrokeshire Powerlifting Club; my little brother who has been there day and night - he’s always been there making sure I’ve trained, making sure I’ve eaten; and most of all my partner Louise.

"She’s was unbelievable through the whole competition and in the prep, especially with me being injured so close to the competition, not thinking I was going. She’s been amazing.”