![\"Oliver](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/1_JS372935691-1.jpg\")
Oliver Whalley celebrates his powerlifting win at the European Championships in Wroclaw, Poland(Image: Oliver Whalley)<\/p>\nOliver Whalley, 19, has also battled struggles with his mental and physical health to achieve his record-breaking successOliver Whalley celebrates his powerlifting win at the European Championships in Wroclaw, Poland(Image: Oliver Whalley)<\/p>\n
A teenager from Longbenton<\/a> with autism<\/a> has won a powerlifting title at the European Championships last Thursday. Oliver Whalley, 19, has also battled struggles with his mental<\/a> and physical health to achieve his record-breaking success, and has been supported all the way by his gym, STAG Fitness Strength Centre in Percy Main<\/a>, North Shields<\/a>.<\/p>\n Just over a year ago, Oliver was gearing up for the British Championships, where he finished third, and hit a low point with his depression and anxiety.<\/p>\n Oliver, who was diagnosed with autism at 13, said: “I feel like my physical health and mental health were impacting each other, and I was stuck in a loop that I couldn’t get away from. Things definitely got worse after that before they got better, and it’s still something that I am struggling with to this date.”<\/p>\n Through perseverance and determination, Oliver was able to bounce back last November, when he squatted the most of any teenage in the Yorkshire and North East region, an incredible 267.5 kilos.<\/p>\n He followed up on this momentum by comfortably qualifying for the European Championships in Poland back in May, before he participated in the competition itself on Thursday, June 12, winning the 19 and under category.<\/p>\n Our ChronicleLive Daily newsletter is free. You can sign up to receive it here<\/strong><\/a>. It will keep you up to date with all the latest breaking news and top stories from the North East.<\/strong><\/p>\n Oliver continued: “I think what got me through was wanting to create fairy-tale ending for myself, as it felt like I flipped a switch after my heaviest prep day, and I thought ‘if I can do that, I can do anything’.<\/p>\n “The competition itself was the same as always, with the three disciplines being squat, bench and deadlift. It was in Poland, which meant I had to travel on a plane for the first time, which was a scary experience, but everyone from the gym looked after me.<\/p>\n “Craig Orange, the owner, knew my dad from when he was young, as he gave him guidance, so he has always taken good care of me. He was working at another gym initially, but as soon as he started his own place I joined him there.<\/p>\n “When I won the competition I’ll admit that I cried, I was just overwhelmed with emotion as none of it was easy but it all felt worth it at that point. I also coach people with disabilities so being able to set an example for them was such an incredible feeling.”<\/p>\n On the advice he would give someone who is struggling, Oliver added: “There is nothing more important than being able to help people and being understanding about what they are dealing with. I always say to people ‘don’t stop’, even when the negativity hits you, as I know from experience that some effort is better than no effort at all.”<\/p>\n ChronicleLive is now on WhatsApp and we want you to join our communities.<\/p>\n We have a number of communities to join, so you can choose which one you want to be part of and we’ll send you the latest news direct to your phone. You could even join them all!<\/p>\n To join you need to have WhatsApp on your device. All you need to do is choose which community you want to join, click on the link and press ‘join community’.<\/p>\n No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the ChronicleLive team.<\/p>\n We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners.<\/p>\n If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose ‘exit group’.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re curious, you can read our privacy notice<\/a>.<\/p>\n Join the ChronicleLive Breaking News and Top Stories community<\/a><\/p>\n Join our Court & Crime community<\/a><\/p>\n Join the Things to do in Newcastle and the North East community<\/a><\/p>\n Join our Northumberland community<\/a><\/p>\n Join our County Durham community<\/a><\/p>\n Join our Sunderland community<\/a><\/p>\n Join our NUFC community<\/a><\/p>\n Join our SAFC community<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Oliver](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/0_JS372935681.jpg\")
Oliver Whalley competing in powerlifting at the European Championships in Wroclaw, Poland(Image: Oliver Whalley)<\/p>\n![\"Oliver](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/0_JS372935687.jpg\")
Oliver Whalley and the team from STAG Fitness Strength Centre in Wroclaw, Poland(Image: Oliver Whalley)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/3_GettyImages-586113546jpgt.jpg\")
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