Dartford’s Liam McGarry has won silver for Great Britain with a new British record on the final day of competition at the World Para Powerlifting World Cup in Manchester.

The 24-year-old - who was paralysed following a spinal cord injury in 2017 – lifted 202kg at his third and final attempt in the over 107kg bodyweight category, surpassing the British record by 6kg.

Coming into the sport late on in the qualification cycle means McGarry isn’t eligible to qualify for this summer’s rescheduled Tokyo Paralympics via the standard route, but his hopes of selection as a ‘wildcard’ have been boosted by his performance in Manchester.

McGarry will compete next at a crucial qualifying event in Dubai from June 19.

An emotional McGarry said: “I lost my nan eight weeks ago, she really did mean the world to me. She was at every competition, everything I did.

“So it was for her. I’m just so glad to get a good lift on the board and some silverware for her and a British record as well, and that was something she was so eager for me to get.

“I am going to get straight back on the pedal. No days off.

“I’m going to try a longshot of the pathway (qualification) for Tokyo. Going to put myself in the best position possible to give the IPC a decision to make regarding myself, showing them I am the new kid on the block and I am going to bring something.

“I am already closing the gap on the big boys and I have only been in the sport for two years.”

Georgia’s Lago Gordoze won the 80kg gold with a lift of 205kg, with him and McGarry (202kg) a long way infront of bronze medalist Gani Ssentemirov (Kazakhstan, 170kg).