To The Bar Amplifies Student Weightlifting Stories in British Universities Championships Social Media Takeover
From April 3rd to 4th (and sneakily for a few days afterwards!), To The Bar hosts Aaron Holt and Jess Roebuck-Slaney stepped into the spotlight as British Weightlifting’s social media leads for the 2024 British Universities and Colleges (BUCS) Weightlifting Championships. The takeover, hosted on British Weightlifting’s Instagram, offered an unprecedented behind-the-scenes look at the event, blending competition highlights with human stories to celebrate the sport’s vibrant student community.
A Platform for More Than Lifts
The BUCS Championships, held annually to crown the UK’s top university weightlifters, saw hundreds of athletes compete across weight classes. But this year, the spotlight extended beyond the platform. Aaron and Jess—seasoned technical officials and podcasters—used their unique perspective to highlight the people powering the event:
- Athlete Stories: Interviews with record-breakers, Olympians, and first-time competitors revealed the dedication behind the lifts.
- Unsung Heroes: Volunteers, coaches, and technical officials shared their roles in keeping the championships running smoothly.
- Behind the Scenes: Rare glimpses of warm-up room rituals, athlete nerves, and judge deliberations showcased the event’s heartbeat.
The content, including reels, photo diaries, and athlete Q&As, aimed to humanize the sport, transforming competitors from “Instagram faces” into relatable individuals balancing academics, training, and personal growth.
A Collaborative Success
British Weightlifting praised the takeover’s impact, noting its role in driving engagement and broadening the sport’s appeal. In their post-event article, they featured To The Bar’s photography—including the header image—as a testament to the collaboration. Full photo albums from the event are available on To The Bar’s Pixieset, capturing everything from triumphant clears to candid team celebrations.
Why This Matters
Weightlifting thrives on community, and the BUCS takeover underscored this truth. By spotlighting personal journeys—like a PhD student balancing lab hours with training, or a volunteer juggling exams and scorekeeping—the coverage resonated with athletes and fans alike.
“This wasn’t just about results,” said Jess. “It was about showing the heart behind the sport—the late-night study sessions, the camaraderie, the sacrifices.”Gratitude and Forward Momentum
To The Bar extends thanks to British Weightlifting for the opportunity, the athletes who shared their stories, and partners like LuXiaoJun EU and BeOLY UK, whose support helps amplify grassroots initiatives.
As Aaron reflected: “Student competitions are where futures are built. We’re honored to help tell these stories.”
Relive the BUCS 2024 Action
- Watch highlights and interviews on British Weightlifting’s Instagram.
- Explore full event details at BUCS Weightlifting Championships.
- Dive deeper into To The Bar’s work at instagram.com/_to_thebar.
About To The Bar
Founded by British Weightlifting technical officials Aaron Holt and Jess Roebuck-Slaney, To The Bar is a podcast and media project dedicated to uncovering weightlifting’s untold stories. Partnered with British Weightlifting, LuXiaoJun EU, and BeOLY UK, they champion accessibility, authenticity, and the belief that strength lies in every story.
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