Join AUS Squad
Back To News
One of Australia’s most promising Para-powerlifters will be an athlete to watch at a competition on Saturday that launches a new era in the sport.
Dylan Braan appears to have abundant natural attributes to succeed, but now that he’s putting in extra hard work, Paralympics Australia Para-powerlifting head coach Simon Bergner believes the sky is the limit for the up-and-comer.
“Dylan’s going really well,” Bergner said. “143 [kilograms] was his best in 2023, he did 155 in Thailand in May last year and he’s up around 167 to 172 at the moment. The progression he’s had has been really good.
“He’s doing the work, in the gym five days a week and technically he’s improving every week. Watch this space. He’s going to be exciting over the next couple of years.”
Braan isn’t the only one. Sixteen lifters registered for the 2025 Wollongong Classic on Saturday, just short of the record 17 who competed at a tryout for the 2018 Commonwealth Games. The Wollongong Classic is the first of three sanctioned events this year, the centrepiece of which will be the national titles on the Gold Coast in July.
Since Hani Watson and Ben Wright became Australia’s first Paralympic powerlifters in 12 years at Paris 2024, extra funding for the sport has enabled Paralympics Australia, as the National Sporting Organisation for Para-powerlifting to set the foundation for growth.
“The difference now is that, with the funding, we’re able to put more exposure around the events, put on workshops, get more interest in the sport.
“We can do more talent ID, talent initiatives for athletes who might be interested, and also get more coaches involved. There are coaches around the country that may already be working with people with a disability, but there are still some misconceptions about Para-powerlifting. It’s one lift, three attempts on a wider bench press, basically.
“Hani is a great advocate for the sport and getting more people’s eyes on bench press and, with our three sanctioned events this year, we want to see participation keep going to a higher level.
“It’s all about awareness and participation and that will trickle into high performance, especially for Brisbane 2032.”
The Wollongong Classic will showcase developing athletes. Paralympians Watson and Wright are targeting major events later in the year.
“There are a couple of females on the list to watch out for, competing at their first event,” Bergner said.
“Jade Pritchard from Newcastle is showing good signs. Natasha Price has been wheelchair racing for some time and doing CrossFit. She’s showing good potential. Rachel Coady as well, showing good signs early days.
“At this stage, for them, my view is it’s about trying to make all three lifts if you can, create good technique and the strength will come on over time.”
Bergner said anyone in the area who is interested in Para-powerlifting as a spectator or competitor is welcome to attend and stay afterwards to chat. Others are encouraged to contact Paralympics Australia to find out more about participation opportunities.
2.30pm Saturday March 22
National Strength Performance Centre
237-239 Princes Highway, Bulli, NSW
The Start Line | Paralympics Australia
Further information about Para-powerlifting, contact peter.brown@paralympic.org.au
By: David Sygall, Paralympics Australia
Published: 21 March 2025
