Triple Paralympian and WAIS scholarship holder Darren ‘Bear’ Gardiner has defied the desert heat of Dubai to win a silver medal at the third Fazza International Powerlifting Championships.
Competing at his first international competition in over 12 months, Gardiner lifted a whopping 230kg in the +100kg division to claim the silver, off the back of gold at last month’s National Championships in Melbourne.
The below-knee amputee’s 230kg lift came close to his best ever lift of 235kg, which APC Senior Powerlifting Coach Scott Upston says bodes well for the 41-year-old’s London campaign.
“It’s fantastic to see an athlete like Darren back competing at the international level,” said Upston.
“After a year away due to injury and illness, he is now close to his PBs and almost back to 100 per cent, which is fantastic to see.”
Beijing Paralympian Abebe Fekadu added to Australia’s medal tally, by claiming a bronze medal in the +56kg division. After a two month break following the Commonwealth Games, Fekadu’s lift of 160kg fell 3kg short of his personal best but showed he is on the right track for London.
“Even though he was 3kg off his PB and the lift he did just before Christmas, Abebe’s form after the Commonwealth Games is looking good and looks only to improve,” said Upston.
David Williams also performed well, lifting an international personal best of 170kg in the +100kg division to finish eighth.
“David Williams continues to improve on the international stage. His lift of 170kg was really encouraging and he will be an exciting athlete for the future.”
A full Australian team of 11 powerlifters will next compete at Darwin’s Arafura Games in May.
By Rebekka Wake – Australian Paralympic Committee
