Australia’s Abebe Fekadu put in a solid performance over night as he took to the floor at the 2010 International Paralympic Committee Powerlifting World Championships in Kuala Lumpur.

As the first Australian to compete at this year’s tournament, Fekadu hoped to lift above and beyond his personal best of 160kg achieved at last year’s Arafura Games.

But unable to push through the pain barrier, Fekadu equalled his PB to finish sixth out of 13 in the 56kg weight division.

According to Senior Powerlifting Coach Scott Upston, the competition in the 56kg weight division is one of the most competitive in the sport.

“It was a very stiff competition for medals – the quality of lifters in this class is certainly very high,” Upston said.

To be eligible for qualification for the London Paralympic Games in 2012, male lifters must be placed in the top 10 for their event. Fekadu’s sixth place puts him in an ideal position for selection to represent Australia at his second Paralympic Games in London.

Fekadu has seen an encouraging amount of success in the short time he has been involved with powerlifting, believing the sport has truly changed his life.

But his growing success is a long way from his troubled past. Fekadu became an Australian citizen in recent years after arriving in Australia from Ethiopia as a refugee. At just eight years old, his father was taken by the government and executed, accused of being anti-revolutionary. As an adult he became deeply involved in secret pro-democracy meetings, consistently agitating for freedom.

Ironically, Fekadu lost his freedom once these meetings were discovered. He fled in his car and a high speed chase ensued, throwing him from the vehicle and causing him to break his back. Paralysed and unable to move, he was taken to a local medicine man before travelling to the capital and then to Italy to seek professional treatment.

After arriving in Australia and spending time in detention, Fekadu began training at a gym and grew stronger by the day - sparking his interest in powerlifting.

He has since competed for Australia at the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games, finishing 10th, and two Arafura Games where he won gold in 2007.

Australia’s next lifter at the championships, Leigh Skinner takes to the floor in the 82.5kg weight division on Wednesday, 5:15pm AEST.

Australia’s Abebe Fekadu put in a solid performance over night as he took to the floor at the 2010 International Paralympic Committee Powerlifting World Championships in Kuala Lumpur.

As the first Australian to compete at this year’s tournament, Fekadu hoped to lift above and beyond his personal best of 160kg achieved at last year’s Arafura Games.But unable to push through the pain barrier, Fekadu equalled his PB to finish sixth out of 13 in the 56kg weight division.

According to Senior Powerlifting Coach Scott Upston, the competition in the 56kg weight division is one of the most competitive in the sport.

“It was a very stiff competition for medals – the quality of lifters in this class is certainly very high,” Upston said.

To be eligible for qualification for the London Paralympic Games in 2012, male lifters must be placed in the top 10 for their event. Fekadu’s sixth place puts him in an ideal position for selection to represent Australia at his second Paralympic Games in London.

Fekadu has seen an encouraging amount of success in the short time he has been involved with powerlifting, believing the sport has truly changed his life.

But his growing success is a long way from his troubled past. Fekadu became an Australian citizen in recent years after arriving in Australia from Ethiopia as a refugee. At just eight years old, his father was taken by the government and executed, accused of being anti-revolutionary.As an adult he became deeply involved in secret pro-democracy meetings, consistently agitating for freedom.

Ironically, Fekadu lost his freedom once these meetings were discovered. He fled in his car and a high speed chase ensued, throwing him from the vehicle and causing him to break his back. Paralysed and unable to move, he was taken to a local medicine man before travelling to the capital and then to Italy to seek professional treatment.

After arriving in Australia and spending time in detention, Fekadu began training at a gym and grew stronger by the day - sparking his interest in powerlifting.

He has since competed for Australia at the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games, finishing 10th, and two Arafura Games where he won gold in 2007.

Australia’s next lifter at the championships, Leigh Skinner takes to the floor in the 82.5kg weight division on Wednesday, 5:15pm AEST.

By Rebekka Wake