Will Anders, an 18-year-old from Suffolk, has turned his life around after battling grief, bullying, and a challenging relationship with food to become a Commonwealth powerlifting champion.
Will, from Woodbridge, Suffolk, won gold in the 120kg+ junior men’s division at the Commonwealth Powerlifting Championships in South Africa this month. He claimed four medals in total, including gold for overall winner and bench press, and silvers for deadlift and squat.
His achievement marks a remarkable turnaround. In 2021, Will was struggling with his mental health, following the loss of his father, Rob, to an aggressive brain tumour. Bullied by peers and battling an overeating disorder, he reached a low point where he avoided looking in mirrors and refused to use the camera on his phone.
His father, a Royal Fleet Auxiliary officer who was awarded an OBE for his role in Hurricane Dorian relief efforts, died in December 2020 after being diagnosed with stage four cancer. The grief was overwhelming for Will, who took on the responsibility of caring for his father in his final months.
Reflecting on his father’s illness, Will said: “I remember helping him up the stairs and thinking, I never want to feel this weak again—physically or mentally.”
But it wasn’t until the beginning of 2023 that Will’s life took a significant turn. He found solace in the gym, starting with powerlifting on New Year’s Day. “There’s so much support in this community,” he said. “It pushes you forward constantly.”
Will’s passion for powerlifting quickly grew. He won his first competition in July 2023 and went on to place second in the English Nationals, followed by fourth in the British Junior Nationals. Just a few months later, he triumphed at the Commonwealth Championships.
Recalling the experience in South Africa, Will said: “It was the best competition I’ve ever done. I didn’t fail a lift and totalled 622.5kg, which was 22.5kg more than I’d done previously.”
His mother, Phillipa, a volunteer at The Brain Tumour Charity, was there to support him. “Watching Will in South Africa was incredible,” she said. “He has transformed not just physically, but mentally and socially. I am immensely proud of him, and I know his dad would be too.”
Will’s journey has been marked by resilience and determination. Once plagued by self-doubt and social anxiety, he now competes on an international stage and credits powerlifting with helping him regain his confidence.
He added, “Everything I’ve been through has made me what I am today. I wear a chain with a ring my dad gave me, and I like to think he’s with me, helping me with my lifting.”
Will wants to thank all those who contributed to his crowdfunding page to help pay for his trip to the competition: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-me-get-to-the-commonwealth-powerlifting-championships