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Paralympian Hani Watson smashed her personal best, electrifying the re-launched Para-Powerlifting National Championships on its triumphant return to Australia’s sporting landscape.
Watson lifted 135 kilograms with her first attempt, 140 with her second and, finally, 145 kilograms. Watson came sixth in the women’s 86 kilograms category at the Paris Paralympics last year with a lift of 133 kilograms. Her third attempt at the Nationals, held at RACV Royal Pines on the Gold Coast on Saturday night, easily surpassed her personal record of 138 kilograms, setting her up for a strong run-in to the World Championships in Cairo in October.
“I’ve worked incredibly hard to get there,” said Watson, who is known as ‘the Bench Queen’.
“I just needed to believe that I could do that, and I did. I just screamed that barbell off my chest, I said, ‘I know I’m going to get you up there’. I’m proud. I’m absolutely stoked.
“That’s going to boost me for Egypt, for the World Championships. I’ve got 12 weeks now to hit that podium, and I’m confident I’m going to be doing that.”
Watson shared the limelight in the women’s events with Carly Young who, aged just 14, established herself as a star of the future with a best of 52 kilograms – more than her bodyweight – in the 55 kilograms class. World Championships-bound Jade Pritchard clocked 70 kilograms in the category.
In the men’s categories later in the evening, Deepak Dhessi scored a personal best 105 kilograms in his 88 kilogram class, before powerhouse Daniel Bos, who weighs 54.5 kilograms, lifted a remarkable 135 kilograms at his first attempt in the 59 kilogram category.
Bos went on to register 145 kilos with his final lift, spectacularly announcing his arrival on the scene and sounding a warning to rivals he will face at the World Championships.
The promising 107 kilograms-plus lifter Dylan Braan clocked a good 170 before stumbling at 176, while the fast-improving Justin Marafioti, in the same weight class, registered a best of 157 kilograms on his third attempt.
Marafioti was contesting his first competition at national level.
“You put in the work and you do these lifts in the gym and then doing it in competition, it’s all good. I’m stoked for that,” he said.
“The atmosphere was electric. Sometimes you try to ignore those looking at you because you’re so locked in, but you definitely feel the atmosphere. It’s amazing.”
Paralympics Australia Para-powerlifting head coach Simon Bergner said he was so proud of all the athletes.
“What an event. It’s been unbelievable,” Bergner said.
“We haven’t had anything like this before in Australia over the past eight years since I’ve been involved in Para-powerlifting.
“It was electrifying out there. The crowd got right behind the athletes and cheered so loudly, the music was pumping, the big screen … it all added to the atmosphere. It really showcased what Para-powerlifting is, it’s putting Para-powerlifting on the map for others to find, and to come and get involved in the sport.
“The more people on the benches, the better. Get involved! Even if you say, ‘Hey, I’m only going to start with just the bar to begin with’, you never know how far you could progress with weights over 12 months or 24 months. The main thing is to just get started.”
The event concluded with the presentation of medals and the announcement of a record-sized Australian team to compete at the World Championships in Egypt in October.
By: David Sygall, Paralympics Australia
Published: 6 July 2025
