THOMAS Read is targeting more success after placing second at the England’s Strongest Junior competition.

The 22-year-old lifted a personal best but fell just short of the 325kg British record in the deadlift on his way to the runners-up spot.

Despite the success, Read is still hoping to improve.

He said: “It’s great coming away from a competition knowing what you need to improve.”

“I know I need to improve because I didn’t win.”

Speaking about the event, Read added: “There were five events. I won the first and came second in the second event.

“I had a few average placings before finishing second in the last event which gave me my second place.”

This was Read’s first national competition, and he recognised he did well despite the new territory.

“This was a big step as it was a national competition,” he explained.

“It was my first one and I didn’t know what it would be like.

“The training went really well heading into it and I performed well.”

Next up for the gym worker is the UK’s Strongest Junior event, which takes place in July and he wants to keep improving and smash records.

“As it is my last year of as a junior, I am going to train hard before I enter the men’s division.

“If I can do well at next year’s England event then I’ll be on TV for the UK’s strongest man. That would be great.”