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The 45-year-old has clocked up no fewer than SEVENTEEN national titles in just over 20 years of competitive powerlifting.

And nowadays, many of his victories come against rivals less than half his age.

The married dad-of-three is not planning to carry on at the top level indefinitely, however – he has set himself a target of reaching 20 national titles before taking it easy.

But if David does make it to that landmark, he has no intention of turning his back on the world of powerlifting.

His 13-year-old son Reece, a pupil at Wetherby High School, has shown signs of great promise at the sport and will soon be taking it up competitively.

"He's doing very well – I'd be very proud to coach him," said David.
"I'd recommend powerlifting to anyone. It's a great way of channelling excess energy and gives you a real sense of achievement."

David, who works as a security guard, usually competes in tournaments organised by the British Amateur Weightlifting Association.

En route to his most recent national title triumph in Birmingham, he lifted 317.5kg – more than three times his own 90kg bodyweight.

The secret of his success, he jokes modestly, is "plenty of sleep and lots of eating".

More seriously, he also puts himself through punishing training sessions five days a week.

But, just to confirm that this is a truly down-to-earth sports champ, they do not take place in the kind of swish fitness centres favoured by many other powerlifters.

Instead he does his training in the makeshift gym he has lovingly built up in the garage of his home.

"It suits me just fine doing it here," said David. "That way I haven't
got far to go for a lie down afterwards!"