Australia has been represented in weightlifting / powerlifting at every Games since 1964 and winning a medal at every Games except 1984. Paralympic powerlifting has been competed at every Summer Paralympics since 1984. Weightlifting had been on the Paralympic program since 1964, however after the 1992 Games the International Paralympic Committee made the decision drop weightlifting and hold powerlifting events only.
Contents
Notable Australian athletes include:
Summer Paralympic Games
Australian representatives in weightlifting and powerlifting.
1964
Australia represented by:
Men – Michael Dow, Gary Hooper, Vic Renalson
Australia won three silver medals.
1968
Australia represented by:
Men – Gary Hooper, Vic Renalson
1972
Australia represented by:
Men – Dennis Kay, Terry Mason, Vic Renalson
1976
Australia represented by:
Men – Terry Mason, Vic Renalson
1980
Australia represented by:
Men – Barry Kalms, Brian McNicholl, John Sheil
1984
Australia represented by:
Men – Brian McNicholl
Australia did not win any medals. Brian McNicholl came 4th in his event.
1988
Australia represented in powerlifting by:
Men – Michael Farrell, Matthew Pobje
Australia represented in weightlifting by:
Men – Ray Epstein, Brian McNicholl, Arnie Money, Paul O'Brien, Col Richards
1992
Australia represented by:
Men – Ray Epstein, Steve Green, Brian McNicholl
1996
Australia represented in powerlifting by:
Men – Willem Bos, Michael Farrell, Brian McNicholl, Richard Nicholson
Coach – Blagoi Blagoev
2000
Australia represented in powerlifting by:
Men – Shaun Cavuoto, Darren Gardiner, Steve Green, Paul Hyde, Richard Nicholson, Kahi Puru, Wayne Sharpe
Women – Deahnne McIntyre, Julie Russell, Vicky Machen, Kim Neuenkirchen, Melissa Trafela, Sue Twelftree
Coaches – Blagoi Blagoev (Head), Ray Epstein
2004
Australia represented in powerlifting:
Men – Darren Gardiner, Steve Green, Wayne Sharpe
Women – Deahnne McIntyre
Coaches – Martin Leach (Coach), Michael Farrell
Gardiner originally finished third but was awarded the silver medal after Habibollah Mousavi gold medallist in +100 kg was disqualified after a positive doping test.
2008
Representing Australia in powerlifting:
Men – Darren Gardiner, Abebe Fekadu
Women – Deahnne McIntyre
Coaches – Ray Epstein (Head Coach), Bill Nancarrow
2012
Selected team of 2 athletes.
Men – Darren Gardiner and Abebe Fekadu.
Coaches – Ray Epstein (Head)
Darren Gardiner, a previous Games medallist competed at his fourth Games and Fekadu, a refugee from Ethiopia at his second Games. Australia did not win any medals.
2016
No athletes selected.