Powerlifting World Champion With Down Syndrome Emerges A Winner After Being Told He'd 'Never Achieve Anything'

Dan McGauley, 31, a British powerlifter with Down Syndrome who was informed that he'd 'never achieve anything' has now become a successful multi-world champion and is working on winning more gold.

Dan has lived a life where he has met with many challenges and faced a lot of setbacks from being informed that he won't survive his open heart surgery to having multiple ear operations. 

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However, with his determination and strong willpower, Dan has been able to overcome all difficulties and is reigning the powerlifting world champ in his weight category and is already a three-time gold medalist at the Commonwealth Games. 

Dan is now looking to make it a fourth gold medal at this year’s games in Auckland. 

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Dan has autism and is deaf in his left year, and at just 56kg in weight, he has had to work incredibly hard to get where he is.

Dan's mother, 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."

In 201, Dan achieved the powerlifting world championship in the Special Olympics category up to 59kg in weight, squatting 120kg, bench pressing 90kg, and deadlifting 117.5kg.

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Impressed and motivated by her son's achievements, Judith also decided to take up the sport and won gold medals at the last Commonwealth Games in Canada and South Africa.

Judith says that she knows how much hard work and preservance is required in sports. 

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."

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Talking about how Dan found himself in the sports, Judith explained that Dan initially entered the gym to lose weight after being temporarily wheelchair-bound 10 years ago. 

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.”

Credit: SWNS