After only entering into the sport 18 months ago, Caerphilly weightlifter Mikey Farmer is prepared to play the waiting game when it comes to long-term success.

Introduced to the sport through his father who owns a CrossFit gym, it has been quite a rise for 18-year-old Farmer in recent years.

In his first ever competition – a Welsh schools weightlifting gathering – he opened 1kg above the records on the snatch and clean and jerk and then since then has competed at British, European, Commonwealth and World Youth level.

This year he has stepped up to junior level, meaning he is competing against athletes older than him.

The Willpower Weightlifting Club member concedes that selection for Wales for next year’s Commonwealth Games in Australia is a long shot but he is already thinking beyond that.

And with vital building blocks being put in place now, including training hard and also hopefully performing well at competitions such as September’s British Under-20 Championships in Castleford, Farmer is confident of establishing himself on the international scene long term.

“The start of this year I was in a volume phases so building a lot more strength,” said the former St Martin’s School pupil.

“It’s paid dividends though as I’ve moved up a category and still performed well.

"For the rest of the year, I’m training hard and getting my head down.

“The next Commonwealth Games might come too soon so I’ll be definitely aim for the next one.

“I’ve got the British Juniors at the end of September and it’s a chance to showcase my work.

“It’s my first year as a junior, I’m only 18 so I just want to show what I am capable of.

“I did CrossFit for about two years, my father own a gym. I was quite good at the weightlifting side of things so decided to enter a competition.

“I did my first competition, opened up 1kg above the welsh record, broke a couple of records after that and then got spotted by GB squad and it’s just gone from there really.”

Farmer’s cause has also been helped this year by being selected on the SSE Next Generation scheme – a programme which supports 50 young up and coming athletes, both financially and through experience and mentoring sessions.

He recently headed out to Amsterdam for four days as part of a group of five athletes who got the opportunity to watch the England and Scotland players train ahead of their opening Women’s European Championships clash in Utrecht, which the Three Lionesses win 6-0.

And Farmer admitted the trip had proved to be a real eye opener.

“This trip was fun, informative and motivational,” he said.

“Coming from a weightlifting background, football is something completely different from my sport but it was interesting to see the two countries prepare mentally and physically.

“The mental side of things is so important in weightlifting too so that was interesting.

“We also had a media training session, looking at social media and advice for what you should and shouldn’t do which I found really useful.

“I’m really grateful for all the support SSE give me.”

Since 2013, SSE is proud to make a difference to young people, their families and their communities, by investing in the future of sporting talent through the SSE Next Generation scheme. Keep up to date @YourSSE.