Powerlifting World Champ With Down Syndrome Defies Odds After Being Told He'd 'Never Achieve Anything'

A British powerlifter with Down's syndrome who was told he’d ‘never achieve anything’ has become a multi-time world champion and is looking to add more gold to his tally. 

Dan McGauley, 31, has been faced with many setbacks throughout his life, from being told he wouldn’t survive open-heart surgery and to having multiple operations on his ears.

But, the lad has overcome all odds and is currently the reigning powerlifting world champ in his weight category, and is already a three-time gold medalist at the Commonwealth Games. 

And he’s looking to make it a fourth gold medal at this year’s games in Auckland. 

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.

His 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.

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"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."

Back in 2019, he claimed the powerlifting world championship in the Special Olympics category up to 59kg in weight, squatting 120kg, bench pressing 90kg, and deadlifting 117.5kg.

Inspired by her own 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.

With her own experience in the sport, she knows just how hard Dan has to work for his achievements. 

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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."

When discussing how Dan found himself in the sport, 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.”

We’re sure we’ll see Dan defying the odds yet again later this year in New Zealand. 

Topics: Sport

Jayden Collins

Jayden Collins is a Journalist at LADbible. He has worked across multiple media platforms in areas such as sport, music, pop culture, entertainment and politics. He is part of the editorial team for LADbible Australia.