Nambour-based lifters shine on national and world stages

From left Leah Rhodes, Jean Friend, Gabby Mast, Chris Rhodes, Johanna Mast, Barry Harden and Dale Donaghue. Gabby Mast, who is also a coach at Lift gym in Currie Street Nambour, trains at Sunshine Coast Weightlifting Club.

Seven Masters athletes from Sunshine Coast Weightlifting Club have returned from Adelaide with a swag of medals after representing their Nambour-based club at national and world championship level.

The club, which trains at the Nambour Crushers Rugby League grounds, was represented at the Australian Weightlifting Federation Championships and United Masters Weightlifting Federation Championships, held side by side at The Lakes Resort Hotel in Adelaide from June 8 to 14.

The event brought together leading Masters lifters from across Australia and overseas, with Sunshine Coast Weightlifting Club athletes producing strong results across both competitions.

Leah Rhodes won bronze in both the national and world competitions, lifting 62kg in the snatch and 78kg in the clean and jerk.

Jean Friend also impressed in her return after injury and surgery, winning bronze at national level and silver at world level. She lifted 30kg in the snatch and 40kg in the clean and jerk, achieving personal bests in both lifts.

Gabby Mast claimed silver in both competitions, lifting 57kg in the snatch and an 82kg personal best in the clean and jerk.

Chris Rhodes also won silver in both competitions, with a 65kg snatch and a career personal best of 104kg in the clean and jerk.

“The club is an inclusive place where everyone is encouraged to compete,” Chris said. “Dale and Barry have done an amazing job bringing in more young and masters lifters and that has really made the gym a wonderful place to belong. The competition was really fun and I’m really proud to have had the chance to compete for Queensland!”

Johanna Mast won silver at the world championships, lifting 48kg in the snatch and 64kg in the clean and jerk.

“Balancing training and mum life takes some work, but doing it together with my daughter to set a beautiful example for her makes it the most rewarding journey,” Johanna said. “Stepping onto the National and World Masters platform as a beginner in the sport was an unforgettable experience, and I’m so grateful for the incredible coaching and supportive community backing me. Now I can’t wait to watch my daughter and all the kids shine at the Youth Championships being held at the Club.”

Althea Mackie won gold in both the national and world competitions, lifting 50kg in the snatch and 67kg in the clean and jerk.

Emily Crank also represented the club strongly, recording a 54kg snatch and 70kg clean and jerk.

SCWC coach Dale Donaghue was selected as part of the Queensland support staff, serving as an assistant coach throughout the competition and supporting not only Sunshine Coast athletes but lifters from across the state.

The club said it was proud of its Masters team, which included seasoned competitors, athletes returning from injury and others who had only started competing in recent months.

Established in 1970, Sunshine Coast Weightlifting Club is fully volunteer-run, including its coaching staff, and is the oldest weightlifting club in Queensland. Athletes range in age from 4 to 84.

The club currently has a waitlist due to coaching capacity, with enquiries welcome through Sunshine Coast Weightlifting Club on Facebook or Instagram. General information about weightlifting is also available through the Queensland Weightlifting Association.