Seven Para powerlifters – including four Paralympic debutants – have been selected to represent ParalympicsGB at Paris 2024 in just over one month’s time.
Louise Sugden won bronze at Tokyo 2020, securing the medal with her final lift of the competition. The 40-year-old – who represented ParalympicsGB in wheelchair basketball at both Beijing 2008 and London 2012 – will compete in the women’s up to 79kg class in Paris.
Sugden said: “I’m delighted to be selected for my fourth Paralympics Games. This one is extra special for me after having shoulder surgery in 2022 and not knowing whether I’d be able to get back to competing. I’ve worked incredibly hard to be back to full strength and I’m so excited to get out to Paris to represent ParalympicsGB.”
Olivia Broome also claimed bronze at Tokyo 2020 and the 23-year-old, who competes in the women’s up to 50kg class, heads to Paris having won the world title last year.
Two-time Paralympic bronze medallist Zoe Newson, who made her Paralympic debut at London 2012, competes in the women’s up to 45kg class. The 32-year-old has multiple global medals to her name, adding to her tally with a bronze at last year’s World Championships a year after stepping to the top of the podium at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Making their debuts for ParalympicsGB are Charlotte McGuiness (women’s up to 55kg class), who clinched silver on her international debut at the 2021 World Junior Championships, reigning European champion and Commonwealth silver medallist Mark Swan (men’s up to 65kg class), 2022 European champion Mattie Harding (men’s up to 80kg class), and Liam McGarry (men’s over 107kg class), who benched a massive 232kg to secure qualification for Paris 2024, despite bouts of illness following the 2023 World Championships.
McGarry said: “Almost seven years to the day since my spinal cord injury, I have achieved what once seemed impossible, I have qualified for the Paralympic Games in Paris. To be able to compete on the biggest stage in the world against the strongest men on the planet I can only feel a profound sense of pride and accomplishment. My journey to the Games should show people that you are never out the fight.”
Tom Whittaker, Para Powerlifting Performance Director at British Weightlifting, said: “I am thrilled to announce this talented team for Paris 2024. Each athlete has shown exceptional dedication and resilience, and I am confident they will deliver outstanding performances at the Games.”
Penny Briscoe, ParalympicsGB Chef de Mission, added: “Our Para powerlifting squad embodies the spirit of strength and determination and I can’t wait to see what they all can achieve at the Paralympic Games next month. “
At Tokyo 2020 ParalympicsGB won medals across a record breaking 18 different sports – the highest number of any nation ever. ParalympicsGB finished second on the medal table with 124 medals overall, including 41 gold, 38 silver and 45 bronze. A total of around 220 athletes from 19 sports are expected to make up the British team that will compete in Paris.
Para Powerlifting squad for Paris 2024
Name/weight class/from
Olivia Broome (women’s up to 50kg); Chorley, Lancashire
Lottie McGuiness (women’s up to 55kg); Harrogate
Zoe Newson (women’s up to 45kg); East Bergholt
Louise Sugden (women’s up to 79kg); Newbury
Mattie Harding (men’s up to 80kg); Wirral
Liam McGarry (men’s over 107kg): Dartford, Kent
Mark Swan (men’s up to 65kg) Seaham
With thanks to ParalympicsGB
