By Quentin Paimparay

In the last of our articles on para-sports at the Commonwealth Games, we have a look on Powerlifting; the history of the sport and what to expect at this year’s competition.

To begin with, competitions similar to powerlifting have always existed. Indeed, people have always competed in feats of strengths and power. Traces of those competitions can be found in ancient Greece and Egypt. Most recently, the first time Para-Sport Powerlifting appeared was at the Paralympic Games in 1964 in Tokyo. At that time, the competition was devoted to men weightlifters with spinal-cord injuries. Men’s Para-Sport Powerlifting made its first appearance in the Commonwealth Games in 2002 in Manchester. At the Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2014, men and women will take part in Para-Sport powerlifting and athletes will be from 20 nations and territories around the world.

To win, competitors have to hold a heavier weight bar than their opponents. During the physical activity, most of them have a break before pressing upwards. It helps them to focus. Then, they outstretch their arms and lock them to keep them steady. Once the judges consider it is a success, they announce the ‘rack command’ and the athlete can put down the weight bar. If the opponents succeed to lift the bar, the weight of the next lift increases by at least one kilo and the winner is he/she who holds the heaviest weight bar. Sometimes, the athletes can lift more than three time their body weight.

Nigeria is the leading nation in Powerlifting. Indeed, Solomon Amarakuo won gold in the Para-Sport Commonwealth Games in Manchester in 2002. The nation continued to dominate Para-Sport Powerlifting at the Melbourne Commonwealth Games in 2006 thanks to Ruel Ishaku who lifted 155kg on his second attempt. The standard was exceptional in Delhi in 2010 in the Para-Sport Commonwealth Games which saw Nigeria win all six Para-Sport Powerlifting medals that were up for grabs. For the first time women were allowed to compete and Esther Osa Oyema won Gold with a lift of 148.1kg. Among the men, Yakunu Olaide Adesokan achieved the best lift with 215.1kg. The standards have increased significantly since the first Para-Sport Powerlifting event and we may get a few surprises in the next Glasgow Para-Sport Commonwealth Games.

As far as the Scottish team is concerned, one Para-Sport powerlifter will participate in the Men’s Heavyweight competition: Michael Yule, who was nominated by the Scottish Governing Bodies of Sport. Michael Yule who grew up in Musselburgh serves with the Scots Royal Engineers. He was injured in 2010 in Afghanistan by an explosive device. Previously, he had already competed with the Army powerlifting and he returned to training one year after his accident. His goal is to lift between 190 and 195kg on the day, which would be more than three times his body weight.

Many people have reacted since the roll call. Shona Robison, Cabinet Secretary for Commonwealth Games and Sport, said: “These athletes will make a fantastic contribution to Team Scotland” and Louise Martin CBE, chair of sport Scotland, said: “I congratulate each of them on their hard-won selection.  I am confident the athletes selected will build on those previous successes”.

The bespoken team sends its supports to all the competitors and looks forward to seeing their performance. How many medals do you think Scottish Para-Sport competitors will win? Let us know. Pending, you can have a look on an article about Michael Yule here: http://www.goscotland.org/micky-yule.aspx

Moreover, you can find below a video about Powerlifting at the Glasgow Para-Sport Commonwealth Games: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqEokhST6yA