By Josh Squire

After breaking Australia’s 16-year drought at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, the country’s two strongest para-powerlifters are setting their sights on more silverware at the upcoming Paralympic Games.

Birmingham 2022 bronze medallists Hani Watson and Ben Wright were announced on Thursday as the two athletes leading the Olympic resurgence of the sport in Australia.  

Both will be making their Paralympics debut, the first Australians to represent the country since the London 2012 Paralympic Games, but with plenty of international experience between them.  

Wright was part of the Glasgow 2014 and Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games teams before breaking through at his third Games in Birmingham for a podium finish. Watson has spent less time around the sport but a meteoric since beginning in 2018 has given her plenty of chances to prove her elite abilities on the international stage. 

Chef de Mission Kate McLoughlin heralded the vastly different journeys of each athlete, and the commitment of Para-powerlifting head coach Simon Bergner to helping the team get to where they are now. 

“Ben has been competing in powerlifting for over a decade and now finally has this incredible opportunity to show what he can do on the biggest stage of all. Hani has been on a whirlwind journey over the past three years, working hard, improving rapidly and we’re so excited to see what she can do in Paris,” McLoughlin said. 

“I’d like to, on behalf of Paralympics Australia, particularly thank Commonwealth Games Australia and their Green2Gold2Great funding grant, which has supported Ben, Hani and Simon to attend mandatory international competitions to remain eligible for the Paris Games.  

“This is a great moment for Para-powerlifting in Australia and we look forward to providing all the support our team members need to perform at their very best.” 

The para-powerlifting events will take place in the La Chappelle Arena in Paris from September 4 to 8. 

With thanks to Paralympics Australia.