Navy Leaders Champion Celebrates Powerlifting Success
Navy Leaders champion Wesley McGuinness returned to the top step of the podium with success at the 2026 Royal Navy Powerlifting Championships.
The Royal Navy submariner achieved the twin accolades of first place in the under-105kg category and overall Best Male Lifter.
He said: “It was an honour to represent the Silent Service. I’m deeply proud to bring these wins back to the Submarine Service.”
Typically, though, he was more concerned with giving credit to his support team and fellow lifters. He singled out newly retired Paul Foran, aka Jakey, for his mentoring and guidance.
And he added: “The true heart of the event lay in the success of those just beginning their journey. The NAVYfit grassroots festivals continue to bear fruit, with two standout athletes proving that these introductory programs are the lifeblood of RN Sport.
“Leading Hand Maria Richards showed incredible resilience, coming away with a win in her weight category and the prestigious title of Best Female Lifter.
“Similarly, LH Dan Bosworth, who only started his powerlifting journey five months ago at a grassroots event, secured his weight category and took home Best Novice Lifter.
“Ultimately, the championships highlighted the vital ecosystem of Royal Navy Sport—the bridge between experienced mentors and rising talent.”
The Plymouth-based submariner, our inaugural Navy Leaders Champion, has also been shortlisted for the Royal Navy Community Impact Leadership Award in recognition of his work with the Royal Navy & Royal Marines Charity, We Remember Submariners, ActivKids UK, and The Chestnut Appeal for Men’s Health among others.
The First Sea Lord’s Annual Leadership Symposium and Awards will be held tomorrow (Wednesday, May 13) at the Leonardo Royal Hotel by Tower Bridge in London. They are run by the Leadership Institute Royal Navy (LIRN) and seek to recognise and reward excellence in leadership across the Royal Navy fleet.
Wesley will also be representing Team GB later this month at the World Championships, and leading the British team at the second The Hands Across the Sea Championships, this year being staged in Reno, Nevada.
He also has his sights set on the IPF Commonwealth Championships in Canada later this year, and it has just been confirmed that he will represent Team GB again at the EPF European Bench Press Championships in Lithuania in August.
He said: “It’s shaping up to be a demanding but rewarding 12 months, with plenty of work and planning ahead. I would like to sincerely thank Navy Leaders for their continued support: they have played a vital role in both last year’s achievements and the successes so far this year.”