Darren Ball from Strood continues powerlifting medal haul with golden double at Commonwealth Championships in New Zealand

Strood powerlifter Darren Ball crowned a year to remember by winning two gold medals at the Commonwealth Championships in New Zealand.

Ball, competing in the M2 120kg category, lifted 155kg in the equipped bench press and 165kg in the raw bench press.

The father-of-three only started competing just over a year ago, having previously treated the sport as a hobby.

With the help of Craig Coggle, of Coggle Fitness, he’s ended 2022 with four medals following his success in New Zealand.

Earlier this year, he took gold at the English Championships on home soil and silver in the European Championships in Hungary, where he represented Great Britain.

Ball also competed at the World Championships in Kazakhstan, finishing sixth.