County Derry man set to 'make his father proud’ at European Bench Press Championship

A County Derry man is looking to 'make his father proud’ when he represents Ireland at the European Bench Press Championship. 

Brandon Patterson qualified for the competition in Istanbul, Turkey, on August 8 in testing circumstances. 

He said: “The competition that qualified me for the European Bench Press Championship. I went into the qualification only seven days after my father had passed away. 

“It is a big thing for me to make my dad proud by competing to my best at the competition.”

Patterson only got into the sport a year and a half ago, but since taking it up, he has set his sights on reaching the top. 

The 22-year-old is hoping to reach Sheffield in the near future, but he is solely focused on Turkey next month. 

He said: “Representing Ireland has kind of been a dream since I started.

“I never thought that I would be representing Ireland this early in my powerlifting career.

“I’m looking to be on the podium, as it is very competitive. But it will just come down to the day.

“But there is also the Irish powerlifting record, and I know that I’m capable of surpassing it.

“It just goes to show you that if you really want something and work for it, you can achieve it; you have the capability to do so.”

Patterson will have the support of Evolution Strength Systems in Maghera, the club he trains out of under the coaching of Damian Maguire. 

But most of the support will come from his American wife, a powerlifter too, as he looks to make history in Turkey.

He said: “When I’m up on stage in August, it will be really hard to wipe the smile off my face, to be honest.”