Weight lifters Shaun Clegg, Sonny Webster and powerlifter Paul Efayena have been accepted on the programme after showing great drive and potential to perform on the international stage.

The programme works in partnership with the athletes and their personal coaches to identify barriers to progress, find better solutions within the training process and to create opportunities that can support progress.

Funded athletes receive specialist support services and financial assistance to help them train and prepare more effectively for upcoming competitions, culminating in the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The trio join a group of six Olympic weightlifters and two Paralympic powerlifters already funded by UK sport.

These athletes have seen a lot of recent success, winning four medals at World or European level this year and breaking a number of European, Commonwealth and British records.

Sonny Webster on his way to winning the British Championship in Bangor

British Weight Lifting Performance Director, Tommy Yule, said: "I have been very impressed with what I have seen from these athletes.

"Their performances indicate that they have talent but it is their commitment, effort and their desire to continually push forward that has impressed me the most - essential qualities that underpin progress and are necessary for any athlete on the world class programme.

"The programme is about working in partnership with the lifter and their coach to support their progress towards achieving success on the international stage; ultimately at the Olympic and Paralympic Games and World Championships.

"We are fortunate to have some great people working within our WCP, like our head coach, Tamas Feher.

"With his internationally renowned expertise and experience he is able to work alongside an athlete and their personal coach to help identify the key factors limiting gains in performance and collectively better ways are found to address them.

"In addition to support such as medical, biomechanical and nutritional services from the WCP, athletes also receive an Athlete Personal Award (APA) that contributes towards the cost of training and competition such as travel and equipment."

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