Gareth has been competing in weightlifting for 13 years since attending Ysgol Uwchradd Caergybi in Holyhead. After splitting his time between training and working as a painter and decorator in North Wales he made the permanent switch to Leeds to be part of the GB Weightlifting performance centre.

His career highlights to date are competing at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi 2010 and at his first ever Olympics in 2012 - where he finished eighth overall in Group B, breaking the Welsh clean and jerk record by lifting 158kg and equalling the Welsh snatch record of 130kg.

He is a product of the weightlifting stable under renowned national coach Ray Williams.