Russell Willey represented Great Britain at an astonishing five Paralympic Games, placing fourth at the Barcelona Paralympics in 1992. Russel became World Champion not once, but twice, in 1986 and 1990. Today, he continues to contribute to the sport and attends Welsh National events as a technical official.

Lisa Pudner's journey took her to the world stage, representing Great Britain at the 2000 Paralympic Games in Sydney. Competing in the -48kg bodyweight category, she showcased her strength by lifting an impressive 82.5kg, securing a fourth-place finish.

Emma Brown emerged as a true powerhouse, Emma won two gold medals at the 2000 and 2004 Summer Paralympics, solidifying her status as one of the sport's legends. Emma was also a two-time World Champion and a remarkable six-time European Champion. Her crowning moment came at the 2000 Paralympic Games when she lifted a huge 132.5 kg to claim the gold medal.

As the Welsh Para Powerlifting Champion, Steve Hines demonstrated his strength and dedication in the sport, adding his name to the list of trailblazers who helped shape the future of Para Powerlifting in Wales.

Head Coach Bryan Taylor and Neil Taylor were pivotal in the setting up of the first training squad for the Welsh Para powerlifters. Neil Taylor, coach of Emma Brown, provided invaluable guidance and support. Neil Taylor was a Commonwealth Games Bronze medallist, and more recently former South Wales Performance Manager.

Para Powerlifting, made its debut as a Commonwealth sport in 2002 for men and in 2010 for women. Russell Willey, Lisa Pudner, Emma Brown, and Steve Hines, alongside their coaches, have undoubtedly played a significant role in the sport's growth and recognition. Their achievements continue to inspire us, reminding us that every success story begins with a dream and the courage to pursue it.

Share your memories.
We are inviting all members of the weightlifting community in Wales to share their memories and photos to celebrate the history of weightlifting in Wales.

To get involved, just share your photos, stories and memories...

Email them to office@weightlifting.wales
Direct message us on Instagram or Facebook messenger
Tag us in your social media posts