MICHAELA Breeze reckons 'there's absolutely no doubt that it's on the cards' that her 14-year-old protégé Ryan Baugh can follow in her footsteps after the Cornwood youngster triumphed at the English Senior Weightlifting Championships, writes Euan Reedie.

Breeze, who won gold medals at the 2002 and 2006 Commonwealth Games for Wales, says the 2014 Games in Glasgow are on Ivybridge Community College starlet Baugh's radar following his 'absolutely awesome' achievement recently.

And, like her, he could even reach Olympic level if his stratospheric progress in the sport continues, the Ivybridge CC PE teacher and Baugh's coach insisted.

'There's absolutely no doubt that's on the cards,' Breeze said, when asked if Baugh could emulate her and appear at major global championships in the future. 'If he wants it, keeps working hard and remains motivated, which I think he will do, he can achieve great things. He is a dream to coach.' She added: 'We had a four-year plan after I retired from the sport after the Commonwealth Games in Delhi in the autumn of 2010 and Glasgow in 2014 is a possibility – but let's wait and see.'

Baugh snatched 79kg, a new British under-15 record, on his way to success at the English Senior Weightlifting Championships, which were held at Oldbury Sports College in Birmingham. He also equalled his personal best of 95kg in the clean and jerk, with his lifts in both disciplines totalling 174kg, a new personal best for the youngster. Baugh, who is in Year 10 at Ivybridge CC, was the youngest competitor at the event and competed in the men's 62kg category. Prior to the championships, his previous best lifts were 75kg for the snatch and 95kg in the clean and jerk.

The teenage sensation went on to snatch 72kg, 76kg and 79kg, the latter being a new British under-15 record.

He did not stop there, either, as he clean and jerked 95kg, but failed with attempts at 99kg and 101kg, which was an attempt at another British U15 record. However, his 174kg total is a new personal best by 4kgs. Breeze said just to qualify for the event was a 'major achievement' for Baugh given that he was up against some weightlifters in their 30s. Of the reasons for Baugh's brilliance, she said he had 'natural mental strength', which proves the difference when the heat of competition is on.

He also possesses innate and burgeoning physical strength as his body continues to develop, she enthused.

Breeze also said she regards Baugh as the best weightlifting prospect she has helped nurture in her time at Ivybridge CC.

That's some statement when you consider that her two most successful former students, Sonny Webster and Helen Jewell, are eyeing selection for the British weightlifting team at this year's Olympics. Webster, 17, was also named the British Olympic Association's Olympic Weightlifter of the Year. Like Baugh, he and 22-year-old Jewell also performed creditably at the recent senior event.

Webster, who was born in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, is now with Empire WLC in Bristol and enjoyed success in the 85kg section.

He lifted 286kg, while Plymouth-born Jewell, who has returned to the sport after a shoulder operation, lifted 167kg in the 58kg class.

Teen prodigy Baugh's latest display of brilliance comes after he enjoyed a veritable 'annus mirabilis' last year. He racked up a string of personal bests and won silver at the British Junior Championships.

He also powered to a stunning fourth place at the British Senior Weightlifting Championships last July.