History

History of Australian Para Powerlifting

Para powerlifting has evolved significantly since its inception. Initially, ‘weightlifting’ as a sport made its debut at the Tokyo Paralympic Games in 1964, but it wasn't until 20 years ater at the 1984 Paralympic Games that PARA POWERLIFTING was included as a Paralympic sport.

Para powerlifting as a sport was initially limited to male athletes with spinal cord injuries, however, over time this sport has expanded to include athletes with a variety of physical impairments.

The 2000 Sydney Paralympics marked a significant milestone in para powerlifting history, the event marked the first opportunity for female power lifters to showcase their ultimate strength and compete at the highest level.

Since then, Para powerlifting has grown rapidly and is now recognised in nearly 100 countries with competitor numbers rising every year! You'll see major competitions across the globe through the likes of the Paralympic Games, World Championships, Regional Championships, World Cup and Grand Prix events. Para powerlifters are consistently breaking records and seeing remarkable feats such as athletes often lifting more than three times their body weight!Australia has a proud history in at the Paralympic Games as seen in the table below:

Paralympians and Medallists

Complete Medallist List

Athlete

Medal(s) Summary

Vic Renalson

Weightlifting:

3 Gold - 1968, 1972, 1976

1 Silver - 1964

Athletics:

2 Gold - 1968

2 Silver - 1968, 1972

2 Bronze - 1968, 1972

Michael Dow

Weighlifting:

1 Silver - 1964

Swimming:

2 Gold - 1964

1 Bronze - 1964

Athletics:

1 Silver - 1964

Gary Hooper

Weighlifting:

1 Silver - 1964

Athletics:

2 Gold - 1964, 1968

4 Silver - 1960, 1964, 1968

Brian McNicholl

Weightlifting/Powerlifting (AUS):

1 Gold - 1992

1 Silver - 1996

3 Bronze - 1980, 1984, 1988

Athletics (NZL):

Silver - 1976

Terry Mason lifting at the 1972 Paralympic game

Terry Mason

Weightlifting:

1 Bronze - 1976

Athletics:

1 Bronze - 1972

Barry Kalms

Weightlifting:

1 Bronze - 1980

Matthew Pobje

Powerlifting:

1 Silver - 1988

Michael Farrell

Powerlifting:

1 Bronze - 1988

Richard Nicolson profile picture

Richard Nicholson

Powerlifting:

1 Silver - 2000

Athletics:

1 Silver - 2004

1 Bronze - 2012

Darren Gardiner

Powerlifting:

2 Silver - 2004, 2008

Paralympic Games

Complete Athlete list

Games	Competing Athletes
1964 Tokyo Paralympic Games	Michael Dow, Gary Hooper, Vic Renalson
1968 Tel Aviv Paralympic Games	Gary Hooper, Vic Renalson
1972 Heidelberg Paralympic Games	Dennis Kay, Terry Mason, Vic Renalson
1976 Toronto Paralympic Games	Terry Mason, Vic Renalson
1980 Arnhem Paralympic Games	Barry Kalms,Brian McNicholl, John Sheil
1984 Stoke Mandeville / New York Paralympic Games	Brian McNicholl
1988 Seoul Paralympic Games	Para Powerlifting: Michael Farrell, Matthew Pobje Para Weightlifting: Ray Epstein, Brian McNicholl, Arnie Money, Paul O'Brien, Col Richards
1992 Barcelona Paralympic Games	Ray Epstein, Steve Green, Brian McNicholl
1996 Atlanta Paralympic Games	Willem Bos, Michael Farrell , Brian McNicholl, Richard Nicholson
2000 Sydney Paralympic Games	Shaun Cavuoto, Darren Gardiner, Steve Green, Paul Hyde, Richard Nicholson, Kahi Puru, Wayne Sharpe, Deahnne McIntyre,Julie Russell, Vicky Machen, Kim Neuenkirchen, Melissa Trafela, Sue Twelftree
2004 Athens Paralympic Games	Darren Gardiner, Steve Green , Wayne Sharpe, Deahnne McIntyre
2008 Beijing Paralympic Games	Darren Gardiner, Abebe Fekadu, Deahnne McIntyre
2012 London Paralympic Games	Darren Gardiner, Abebe Fekadu
2016 Rio & 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games	No athletes selected
2024 Paris Paralympic Games	Ben Wright, Hani Watson

Commonwealth Games

Athlete	Games	Notes
Richard Nicholson	Manchester 2002	Sliver medal, Australia's first ever Para powerlifting medal at the Commonwealth Games.
Wayne Sharpe	Manchester 2002	2 time paralympian
Darren Gardiner	Melbourne 2006	Bronze medal
Leigh Skinner	Manchester 2002; Melbourne 2006; Glasgow 2014	First Australian Para powerlifter to compete at three Commonwealth Games
Cameron Whittington	Delhi 2010	Delhi 2010 – Weightlifting (Para‑Sport Bench Press)
Ben Wright	Glasgow 2014; Gold Coast 2018; Birmingham 2022	Bronze medal at Birmingham, three‑time Commonwealth Games representative.
Kelly Cartwright	Gold Coast 2018	Was a 2 time Paralympian in athletics before transitioning to para powerlifting
Hani Watson	Birmingham 2022	Bronze medal at Birmingham

2002 (Manchester) marked the first fully integrated Para-sport programme in Commonwealth Games history. Women's Para powerlifting events were added to the Commonwealth games in 2010 (Delhi).

Hani Watson winning a BRONZE medal at Birmingham 2022