St Albans weightlifter Daniel Shearly admits he surprised himself after winning gold at the WPC European Powerlifting Championships in Latvia.

The 32-year-old was crowned British champion last August but went into last Thursday’s 75kg competition in Riga with his eyes on a medal rather than outright victory.

Shearly said: “It was definitely a pleasant surprise because it wasn't something that I was expecting. It wasn’t until near the end when I thought I had a chance.

“I thought I was well out of it after the squat but still had my two strongest events to come. But I was still pretty surprised. Overall my result definitely exceeded my expectations.”

Shearly, who only took up the sport just over a year ago, did not get off to the best start as he recorded 200kg in the squat but set a new personal best at this weight in the benchpress of 150kg.

He then broke his own British record by achieving 250kg in the deadlift to clinch first place with each competitor adding up their total from the three events to decide their final position.

The weightlifter admitted there was a very different atmosphere between the British and European competition although he enjoyed them both for varying reasons.

He said: “It was very different because the British competition was a lot more friendly whereas it was much more serious in this one. It was nice that I had a friend and my wife with me for this and it felt quite special because the standard of opposition was higher.”

The IT consultant has decided he wants to go back up to 82.5kg, which is the weight he won the British title at, because he has had enough of dieting.

Shearly’s next challenge will be the British finals in Andover in three weeks, although his longer term target will be the World Championships in Portugal in November.

The weightlifter said: “I was going to aim for the top five at the World Championships but after this success I will probably be targeting the top three.”