AUSTRALIAN weight-lifter Malek Chamoun has set example for many others around the world by claiming a bronze medal in the 2016 Oceania Weightlifting Championship at Vodafone Arena in Suva yesterday.
Chamoun, 27, who is blind worked hard through his difficulties to gain a status today.
“The competition was good and I’m glad it is all over as I am happy with the bronze medal,” he said.
“I am blind and my dad had to help me to walk to the platform and helped me to find the bar and the grip. I have picture in my mind as how would I lift.
“Through imagination I try my best to balance and it works out really well.”
Chamoun is from Sydney and studied sports massage. He was not blind from birth but it gradually developed once he reached to a secondary school level the condition worsen.
He said people should work harder to achieve their dream.
“It is difficult to balance because many people after closing their eyes cannot balance. No other blind would lift as far as me. I have been doing it since I was 12 years old and it had been 15 years now,” he added.
“I have worked over hard and come over the difficulties.
“One should never give up in life. If it is hard then you need to work hard and over come your difficulty.”
Chamoun said his father George Chamoun had been every supportive towards his dream.
“My father always supports me and he is my coach at home. He raised me and looked after me very well. I have a three younger sisters and one of them is also a weight-lifter who would be going to the Junior Championship,” he said.
“She helps me a lot in gym. I have been with the athletes and they know my situation and they are always there to support me.
“Fiji is a nice country with the beautiful weather. It is very exciting for me and to experience Fiji as an adult. I hope to go to the Commonwealth Games. I have taken part in a lot of competition and I also won a gold medal in the Pacific Games last year.”
His father George Chamoun said he was proud of his son’s achievement.
“We are all proud of him. He could have got close just as his jerk was not good today (yesterday),” he said.
“His condition had been pretty much from the birth and he wanted to take part in the sport and took weight-lifting.”
Meanwhile, Malek is planning to take part in the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.
