Bleddyn, 18, competed in the 83kg division, obtaining personal bests in all three lifts – Squat 140kg, Bench Press 75kg and Deadlift 150kg.

Simon Roach, Powerlifting Head Coach said:

“Bleddyn’s performance was outstanding, and in front of a sold-out audience. He broke personal bests on second lifts and relished the atmosphere and encouragement from the large crowds watching the event.”

Bleddyn Gibbs, commented:

“I really enjoyed competing in Powerlifting for Special Olympics Great Britain and would like to thank all of my team mates for supporting me!”

Weightlifting Wales would also like to congratulate the other five Welsh athletes with intellectual disabilities who have also just returned from Berlin’s Special Olympics World Games, where they have proudly represented Team Special Olympics Great Britain and won multiple medals.

The athletes – Michael Beynon, Bleddyn Gibbs, John Hayes, Llinos Gilmour Jones, Josh Longbottom and Ethan Orton – were part of a delegation of 82 athletes representing Special Olympics Great Britain at the Special Olympics World Games, which is the world’s largest inclusive sporting event of 2023, with more than 7,000 athletes from 190 delegations competing across nine days.  

Colin Dyer, CEO of Special Olympics GB, said:

“This is a remarkable achievement, from these exceptional athletes.   

“Each one of our competitors has defied all odds to partake in these games and to come away with a medal caps a monumental accomplishment. They have undoubtedly brought immense pride to themselves, their family and their nation.”  

The Special Olympics World Summer Games Berlin 2023 sought to achieve a permanent change of consciousness for an inclusive society, through the unified power of the Special Olympics movement and all athletes worldwide. In doing so, it encourages that we can do so much more together than alone, and that we are ‘unbeatable together’.  

The Special Olympics GB team has been partly funded by the fundraising efforts of Jingle Jam, created in 2011 by one of the most-followed YouTube gaming channels, Yogscast, and recognised as the world’s largest charity gaming event.   

Throughout the year, Special Olympics GB is the UK’s largest provider of sports training and competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, with more the 6,500 being supported at it’s volunteer-run clubs across the  country.

To register athletes or to get involved as a volunteer  click here to find your nearest club.