Queensland trio lead Diamonds past England in Glasgow
The reigning Commonwealth champions backed up their opening-round win over Tonga with another commanding performance, taking...
QAS-supported Hani Watson has become the first Australian Para powerlifter to win two Commonwealth Games medals, claiming an emotional bronze in the women’s heavyweight competition in Glasgow.
Hani Watson produced three successful lifts of 140ks, 144kg and 147kg at the SEC Armadillo Arena, finishing with 115.5 points to secure her second consecutive Commonwealth Games bronze.
Whatson’s result followed her breakthrough performance in Birmingham four years earlier, when she ended Australia’s 16-yea medal drought in Para Powerlifting.
This time, the medal carried added significance after a difficult 12 months in which the Queenslander underwent six surgeries and faced uncertainty over her return to international competition.
“It means a hell of a lot to me,” Watson said.
“I’ve had a really hard journey for the last 12 months trying to get here, and it just tells me that anything is possible.
“I can do this, I will do this. Dreams can come true, and we’re going to keep fighting for it.”
Her bronze medal reinforced her place among Australia’s Para Powerlifting pioneers and made her the only Australian to reach the sport’s podium at the past two Commonwealth Games.
“Don’t give up on your dreams,” she said.
“Never give up. Get out there and get it done.”
Watson is now looking beyond Glasgow, with the LA Paralympic Games and a home Games in Brisbane in 2032 among her long-term goals.
“I made a promise that I would medal here in Glasgow, that I’d medal at the LA Paralympics, and I will be bringing home a world record by Brisbane 2032,” she said.
“I’ve got to stick to it.”
