#Glasgow2014 Preview: Powerlifting

WA’s Ben Wright is flying the flag for Australia in the para-sport powerlifting at the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games.

The young Perth athlete, is making his first appearance at Commonwealth level, and will compete in the men’s heavyweight (72.1kg) when the Games action gets underway.

The weightlifting and powerlifting athletes will showcase their talents in the Clyde Auditorium which makes up part of the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre. The Auditorium is one of Glasgow’s shining architectural lights, and is known as “The Armadillo” due to its layered design.

Powerlifting has been on the Commonwealth Games program since the 2002 Manchester Commonwealth Games, which were also the first Games to include para-sport. Traditionally, the medals have been won by Nigerian athletes, but with the sport only having a recent history at Commonwealth level, there could well be a surprise in store.

Wright will need to keep himself focused, with the lifter having to wait until the second last day of competition before getting his chance to compete. The men’s heavyweight is a straight final, with the action underway from 1.00am Perth time (Aug 3).

The powerlifting program includes lightweight and heavyweight competitions for both female and male competitors. Unlike weightlifting – where competitors clean and jerk, or snatch weight above their heads – the powerlifting is contested via a bench-press set-up, whereby lifters must demonstrate a clean technique in lifting a pre-determined weight into the air, from a stationary starting position.