DIDCOT’S Ben Watson has received a massive boost to his dream of being in Great Britian’s team for the 2012 Olympics in London.

The 18-year-old, from the St Birinus School Club at Didcot, has been invited to be part of the World Class Lifting programme for this year.

World Class Lifting is an independent body set up to run the world class performance programme for weightlifting and disability powerlifting in Great Britain.

He is one of just 14 lifters to have been chosen so far for the extended Olympic squad, who are thought to have the potential to compete in the London 2012 Olympic Games and in future Olympics.

Watson and his coach Philip Karlsson will now be working with the World Class Lifting lead performance coach Tamás Fehér to put in place individualised training and competition plans for this year.

The Didcot youngster currently lifts at 85k, but by the time 2012 comes round he could be in the 105k group.

Karlsson was thrilled to see that his protege had been called up, and felt it was reward for his attitude and commitment.

“It is quite an achievement to be selected,” he said. “I have a group of five of them who are training just as hard and there are others who will come through.”

He also felt Watson’s selection was recognition for the St Birinus club.

“It shows that we can produce the lifters and can continue with them after school which has always been a big worry of people that a school cannot keep them going,” he added.

“We have produced several internationals – there are not many school clubs with people in this Olympic squad.”

Now Watson is looking forward to defending his England seniors title at Halifax on Saturday, February 21.

And later in the year he is hoping to qualify for the European Junior Championships in Sweden in August.