POWERLIFTER Joe Strike was so nervous when he started competing he had to perform behind closed doors.

But Joe, 16, who has autism, dyspraxia and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, has clinched a national title.

Joe, a pupil at Market Field special school in Elmstead Market, has also broken the British special needs bench lift record - twice.

Joe’s dad David said: “Joe doesn’t like a lot of attention but powerlifting is something he has taken to.

“He trains with the Suffolk Spartans at East Begholt High School and his first event was there.

“But he had such nerves he had to do it behind closed doors.

“He could not face anyone even though he was in familiar surroundings and with people he knew.”

Eight months on and Joe competed in the bench, squat and dead lifts at the Special National Powerlifting Championships in Newcastle.

He broke the British record with a bench lift of 62.5kg and then broke it again by lifting 67.5kg.

He also won the under 59kg class overall.

Joe, who trains with Paralympic bronze medalist Zoe Newsome, is also the British under-18 junior bench press champion and he has his sights set on international competition.

David, of Constable Close, Lawford, said: “Joe has qualified for the Special Olympics in 2015 which will be held in Los Angeles.

“It would be great if he could go but we will need to raise the funds ourselves and that will be about £2,500.”