Tuesday, 15th March 2011
Powering On
Today, Bert van Manen MP, Federal Member for Forde, presented Loganlea resident Anthony Young with an Australian Flag and a copy of the National Anthem on CD to take when he represents Australia in the upcoming 2011 World Blind Powerlifting Championships to be held in Antalya, Turkey.
Mr. Young, who is a legally blind indigenous athlete, has been competing in Blind Powerlifting for 25 years.
In ten trips to the World Championships, he has won 8 world titles and been runner up twice.
Mr. van Manen was honoured to meet Mr. Young and discuss his history in the sport, his goals for the future.
Mr. Young revealed that 65% of his accommodation and travel costs were reimbursed by Sporting Wheelies, the remainder he must cover himself as a pensioner.
Mr. Young and Mr. van Manen spoke of their mutual love for sports and the athlete revealed that he originally did not think he would go overseas to compete again, as a result of his battle with chronic fatigue.
“I never throw in the towel, love to live life in the fast lane and keep moving,” Mr. Young stated.
It was his mother’s dying wish in 2010 that her son would compete in April’s World Championship and Mr. Young says he is the best he has ever been prepared for a competition.
Mr. van Manen wishes Mr. Young all the best and is honoured to be able to support such an important event in the community.