Double European gold sees Yule back to his best

Micky Yule cast aside a “nightmare” ten months to regain his place atop the podium at the World Para-powerlifting European Championships in France.

The Rio 2016 Paralympian has had his fair share of heartbreak over the past year, including coming fourth in his category for a second consecutive Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast last month.

But he put all that to one side in fine style at Berck-Sur-Mer, taking double gold in the -72kg category – joined by a familiar face on the rostrum in British teammate Nathaniel Wilding, who took second place.

Competitors from outside Europe were also action at the championships meaning two sets of medals were awarded. One to the top three powerlifters overall and the other to the top three Europeans.

That meant a double gold haul came Yule’s way after his 177kg lift – three years since become European champion for the first time in the -80kg category.

“After a nightmare ten months with surgeries, double leg breaks and rehab, I finally feel strong again️ Double European champion,” he tweeted after the competition.

That turmoil included a broken femur for Yule, just about getting to the bar for last month’s Commonwealth Games – only to suffer further agony of a fourth-place finish.

But he was not to be denied this time around, a successful lift of 177kg proving enough for him to take the crown ahead of Wilding, who lifted 165kg.

The British pair proved a cut above the competition but they weren’t the only ones celebrating, with bronze in the -65kg event for fellow Briton Ollie Brown.