 |
| Chris Morgan competing in the Deadlift at Gay Games VIII |
He competed on the opening day of the Games on Sunday 1st August, and made lifts of 215 kilos in Squat, 110 kilos in Bench Press and 252.5 kilos in Deadlift, for a meet total of 577.5 kilos, giving him the gold in the 82.5-kilo ‘Open’ class.
During his career Chris has won a total of three World Open Gold Medals, five British Championship titles and six Gay Games gold medals, plus several other national and international titles. Chris plans to compete in the Deadlift at the European ‘Single Event’ Championships in Malta this coming October. He will then making a final decision on whether to continue competing in ‘Single Event’ competitions over the next couple of years, whilst developing his coaching career.
Chris said: ‘It was exactly twelve years ago today, on the 2nd of August 1998, that I participated in my first Gay Games in Amsterdam 1998 and won that shiny Silver medal that set me on the way to a career in international sport. After careful consideration I’ve decided to make the Gay Games, the event where I started out, the end of my competitive career in full Powerlifting competitions. I’d like to take the opportunity of thanking the Federation of Gay Games for their support and inspiration throughout my career and acknowledge the huge influence this organisation has made on my life. It’s been a huge honour to be one of the Gay Games Ambassadors here at the Gay Games Cologne 2010.’
With regard to his future competitions, Chris added: ‘I’m certainly going to compete in the European ‘Single Event’ Championship in Malta this coming October and then make a further decision about continuing in ‘Single Event’ competitions for possibly a further couple of years. My intention is to finish competing completely before reaching masters age. I’ve recently started my coaching career as a ‘Strength Specialist’ at an English professional rugby club. This is an exciting opportunity which is allowing me to work with an extremely talented group of young players. I'll have more to say on this in the near future’.
FGG co-president Kurt Dahl responded to this news: 'Chris Morgan has been an outstanding Ambassador for the Gay Games. We are fortunate to have on our list of distinguished athletes, artists, and other dignataries a man with such a remarkable career in mainstream and LGBT competitive sport, and are proud that his career began in the Gay Games. The Gay Games are the largest sporting event in the world open to all, from novices to elite athletes. With Chris, we have living proof that one can go from novice to elite status right here at the Gay Games. We look forward to continuing to work with Chris as an Ambassador and in support of future Gay Games Powerlifting events.'
No comments:
Post a Comment