Darren “The Bear” Gardiner Lifts Silver in Beijing

Darren Gardiner has won a second successive Paralympic silver in the 100kg+ power lifting competition in Beijing.

The WAIS athlete who is known as “the bear” due to a pre-tournament ritual of roaring to prepare himself, lifted 230kg to add a second medal to his collection after picking up the same result in Athens four years prior.

Gardiner’s 230kg was beaten only by Iran’s Kazen Rajabi Golojeh, who lifted 257kg. Gardiner – who works as a sales manager – qualifies as a Paralympian after he lost his left leg below the knee following a battle with cancer.

Gardiner was philosophical about his result, and was pleased with his lifting under pressure in Beijing.

“I’m consistent if nothing else,” joked Gardiner.

“What I felt good about was that I bettered the weight and maintained my presence in much stiffer competition than four years ago.”

Gardiner’s coach, Ray Epstein – himself a former Paralympian – said: “It was a really close competition and it was very tactical, and I guess we were on the right sight of the ledger.

“It was very close for silver and bronze – there were four who started on 225, and it came down to bodyweight. It was quite close.

“I guess you’d call it a 10 year preparation [for this]. He hasn’t really had a break since Athens.”

China’s Li Bing finished third, with a lift of 225kg.