A British powerlifter with Down syndrome is aiming to add to his gold tally at this year’s Commonwealth Games – after being told he’d “never achieve anything”.
Inspirational Dan McGauley, 31, is already a three-time gold medalist in Commonwealth powerlifting and is the reigning world champion in his weight category.
At just 5ft2 and weighing 56kg, the athlete has overcome tough odds – including two rounds of open-heart surgery – to compete at the highest level.
Now Dan, who also has autism and is deaf in his left ear, is aiming for his FOURTH victory at the Commonwealth Games in Auckland this year.
Dan’s mum Judith McGauley said: “He’s had a lot of setbacks. The doctors said he wouldn’t survive either round of open-heart surgery.
“He’s been in a wheelchair and he’s had 40-odd operations on his ears.
“We were told by doctors that he’d never make a valuable contribution to society. Now he’s on a podium singing his heart out to the national anthem.
“Some people say he’s the face of powerlifting. He’s got followers from all around the world.”
Dan, from Colchester, Essex, has won gold medals in the Special Olympics category at the last three Commonwealth Games.
In 2019, Dan claimed the powerlifting world champion title in the Special Olympics up to 59kg weight category.
He is currently squatting 120kg, bench pressing 90kg, and deadlifting 117.5kg.
Judith said: “Dan has to work twice as hard as able-bodied lifters.
“He trains three times a week and has personal training sessions on Saturday and Sunday.”
Dan was born with a heart defect and underwent two rounds of open surgery when he was aged four months and two years.
He was temporarily wheelchair-bound and first got into powerlifting ten years ago when he visited the gym to lose weight.
Judith said: “We wanted him to go on the treadmill but as soon as he went in he just wanted to do the weights.
“A coach offered to train him and Dan absolutely took to it.
“He likes that it’s repetitive. All the signals and commands are the same. He says the gym is his safe space.
“His speech is bad but if you talk to him about powerlifting he will talk like anyone else.”
Dan’s powerlifting has even inspired mum Judith to take up the sport.
Judith has since won gold medals in her age category at the last Commonwealth Games in Canada and South Africa.
