Wollongong power-lifting coach Simon Bergner liked what he saw from Australia’s Para power lifters at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
As Powerlifting Australia’s Para-program high performance manager, Bergner was on hand to coach the country’s four Para power lifters competing at the Commonwealth Games.
While the team didn’t place or win any medals, Bergner left the Gold Coast excited by what the future holds for Australian Para-powerlifting.
‘’We didn’t place in the medals. Our best result was a sixth, which isn’t too bad,” he said.
“Powerlifting is still a developing sport in Australia. It’s hard competing against the likes of established nations such as Nigeria and England.
“But I liked what I saw and can see a bright future ahead.”
Over 30 competitors from 11 countries contested four different categories of Para powerlifting at Carrara Sports and Leisure Centre on April 10.
This was only the third time Para Powerlifting has been contested at a Commonwealth Games, with the previous two held at Delhi and Glasgow respectively.
Ben Wright was Australia’s best performer, placing sixth in his category.
Fellow heavyweight competitor and team-mate Leigh Skinner placed eighth at his final Commonwealth Games, having also competed at the Delhi and Glasgow games.
Australia’s Nang Nguyen also placed eighth in the men’s lightweight. But it was the seventh-place finish of Kelly Cartwright which excited Bergner the most.
Cartwright only took up Para Powerlifting just over a year ago after an ankle injury ended her impressive track and field career.
Cartwright won two medals in the Beijing 2008 and London 2012 Paralympics.
Switching focus from Para-athletics to Para-Powerlifting came fairly easy to the Geelong native, after she sustained a permanent ankle injury after the London 2012 Paralympic Games, where she won gold in the F42 long jump and claimed silver in the 100m T42.
“Kelly is one to watch for sure,” Bergner said. “She is a winner who has shown she knows what it takes to do well. I’m looking forward to coaching her further and seeing how good she can get.”
Bergner was also “excited” to see Para athletes compete alongside able-bodied competitors and expects future Commonwealth Games to follow suit.
“But I think it will be difficult to do it at an Olympic Games, just because there is too many nations and athletes. The Paralympic Games are also huge,” he said.
Agron Latifi
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
