MATTHEW Johns and Jackson Roberts-Young are flexing their muscles in weightlifting.
Matthew, 17, is from Grays Point and Jackson, 17, is from Cronulla.
Matthew only started weightlifting two years ago and is coached by Joe Brent.
Brent, now 72, was a 1966 and 1970 Commonwealth Games weighlifting competitor.
Jackson is mentored by Peter Upham.
His links to weightlifting started in another sport with Upham.
‘‘I play linebacker with the Sutherland Seahawks American Football team and Peter Upham is my coach,’’ Jackson said.
Upham runs Shire Speed and Strength at Caringbah.
This year the 105 kilogram and 189 centimetres tall athlete, won the national juniors event in the 105 kilogram class.
Matthew said two years ago he had limited sporting involvement.
Prompting by his father, shire Cr Kent Johns, saw him get active and it worked.
‘‘I enjoy weighlifting as it has got me a lot fitter and I am lot more confident as a person,’’ Matthew said.
Matthew’s highlights in 2015 in the 105 kilogram plus weight division class include the under-17 and under-23 NSW state titles.
He also collected a bronze medal in the national under-17s age group and a silver in the national under-23 titles.
