\n<\/p>\n
Australia has wrapped up the 2026 Para Powerlifting Asia-Oceania Championships in Bangkok with its strongest team result since the 2022 Championships in South Korea, finishing second on the medal tally behind China.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The 10-athlete Australian team gained\u00a0important\u00a0experience\u00a0and\u00a0understanding of what is\u00a0required\u00a0to perform at international level.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Across the Championships, Australia delivered consistent results, with\u00a0nine\u00a0athletes\u00a0securing medals in both the Oceania\u00a0best\u00a0lift and Oceania\u00a0total\u00a0lift\u00a0categories, reflecting\u00a0growing\u00a0depth\u00a0and\u00a0composure\u00a0under pressure.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe had some really good results overall from a team perspective,\u201d head coach Simon Bergner said.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cA lot of our athletes were only at their second international\u00a0competition\u00a0and\u00a0we\u2019ve\u00a0seen some\u00a0really positive\u00a0outcomes from that group. It was a great step in the right direction.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe biggest thing for us was the competition experience at an international level. We saw athletes really shine in the way they held themselves on the platform, a lot of good lifts\u00a0made\u00a0and a better understanding of how the competition arena works.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Paris 2024 Paralympian\u00a0Hani Watson delivered the standout performance of the Championships, securing\u00a0gold in both Oceania\u00a0best\u00a0lift and Oceania\u00a0total\u00a0lift, and\u00a0bronze in the Open\u00a0best\u00a0lift.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Daniel Bos impressed in his first appearance in the\u00a0under 49kg men\u2019s division, securing gold in Oceania\u00a0best\u00a0lift and silver in Oceania\u00a0total\u00a0lift, lifting three times his body weight in a strong statement at a new weight class.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Justin Marafioti also delivered at open level, securing bronze in the Open\u00a0total\u00a0lift. He added silver in Oceania\u00a0best\u00a0lift and gold in Oceania\u00a0total\u00a0lift, continuing his steady progression on the international stage.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Jade Pritchard delivered a confident performance to claim gold in both Oceania\u00a0best\u00a0lift and Oceania\u00a0total\u00a0lift.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Dylan Braan\u00a0claimed\u00a0gold in Oceania\u00a0best\u00a0lift and silver in Oceania\u00a0total\u00a0lift, while Rachel Coady secured\u00a0silver in both Oceania categories.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Shanaya Soni showed authority on the platform, winning gold in both Oceania\u00a0best\u00a0lift and Oceania\u00a0total\u00a0lift,\u00a0while\u00a0Natasha Price matched that consistency, also securing gold across both Oceania categories.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Rod Watson returned to international competition strongly, claiming gold in both Oceania lifts and silver in both open categories, rounding out a confident return to the international stage.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Ben Wright, who also competed at Paris 2024,\u00a0rounded out a complete Australian team effort.<\/p>\n
Para Powerlifting general\u00a0manager Kim Ellwood\u00a0said the Championships reinforced\u00a0the\u00a0direction\u00a0of the program and the value of consistency under pressure.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cOverall, the Championships were a positive step forward for the program,\u201d Ellwood said.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cCompeting internationally brings\u00a0a very different\u00a0performance environment compared to domestic competition and it was encouraging to see\u00a0the majority of\u00a0athletes improve on their 2025 World Championship performances in Egypt.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat stood out was the athletes\u2019 ability to remain focused on long-term progression and performance execution.\u00a0The emphasis was on delivering three technically sound and successful lifts and the athletes embraced that.\u00a0That\u2019s\u00a0critical for sustained success at this level.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Ellwood also highlighted Watson\u2019s performance as a clear marker of the standard the program is building towards.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWithin the broader Asia-Oceania field, Hani\u2019s performance stood out,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s a clear example of the level we are building towards.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The\u00a0focus\u00a0now\u00a0turns\u00a0towards recovery, preparation and what\u00a0comes next.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cMost athletes have had a short recovery and are now back into full training,\u201d Bergner said. \u201cWe\u2019ve got a busy period ahead, with Grand Prix events, Nationals, and preparation towards the Commonwealth Games.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Ellwood said\u00a0maintaining\u00a0discipline through the next phase will be key.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAs a weight-category sport, consistent attention to nutrition, recovery and preparation is critical,\u201d she said.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cSome athletes will now focus on the Commonwealth Games, while others prepare for the Grand Prix series and Nationals.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
By Ashley Gillespie, Paralympics Australia.<\/p>\n
Published 22 April, 2026.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n