As the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games approaches, Australia’s para-athletes are gearing up for their moment on the world stage. Among them is Hemmant resident Hani Watson, a rising star in para-powerlifting who has quickly become a force to be reckoned with in the sport.
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Para-powerlifting, also known as para-lifting, is an adaptation of powerlifting for athletes with disabilities. In Paralympic competition, the discipline focuses solely on the bench press, showcasing incredible upper body strength and technique.
Watson’s journey to the Paralympics is nothing short of remarkable. Born with bilateral metaphyseal dysplasia, a condition that affected the development of her leg bones, she underwent multiple surgeries throughout her childhood. However, it was her father Charlie, a bodybuilder, who instilled in her a love for strength training and a belief in her abilities.
Rapid Rise to International Competition
This mindset propelled Watson into competitive powerlifting in 2018. Under the guidance of Australian para-powerlifting coach Simon Bergner, she made rapid progress. In 2021, just three years after beginning her competitive journey, Watson was representing Australia on the international stage at the World Championships in Georgia, breaking an Oceania record and finishing eighth overall.
Watson’s breakthrough moment came at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. There, she ended Australia’s 16-year medal drought in the sport, claiming bronze in the women’s heavyweight division with an impressive lift of 127 kg – nearly 30 kg more than her own body weight. This achievement echoed the last Australian medal in the sport, won by Darren Gardiener at the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games.
Eyes on Paralympic Glory
Now, with the Paris Paralympics on the horizon, Watson has her sights set on the ultimate prize. The para-powerlifting events are scheduled for September 4-8, and Watson is determined to make her mark.
Watson’s rapid rise in the sport is even more impressive considering she balances her training with a full-time career as a hospital manager. Her dedication and success serve as an inspiration to aspiring para-athletes across Australia and beyond.
As the Paralympic movement continues to grow, Watson’s story highlights the evolving landscape of para-sports. Weightlifting first appeared as a Paralympic event in Tokyo in 1964, with powerlifting making its debut 20 years later. It wasn’t until the Sydney Games in 2000 that women’s powerlifting was finally included in the Paralympic program.
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When the cauldron is lit on 28 August 2024, at the Place de la Concorde in Paris, Hani Watson will be among the 4,400 athletes from around the world ready to showcase their talents. Her journey from Brisbane to Paris is a testament to the power of perseverance, family support, and the transformative nature of para-sports.
Published 14-August-2024
