Hani Watson

Hani Watson

Personal information
Born	(1982-09-20) 20 September 1982 (age 42) Auckland, New Zealand
Sport
Sport	Para powerlifting
Medal record Representing  Australia Commonwealth Games 2022 Birmingham Heavyweight

Hani Watson (born 20 September 1982)^[1] is an Australian para powerlifter.^[2][3][4][5] She was the first Australian to qualify in Para-Powerlifting in 12 years with 2024 Paris Paralympics as her debut.^[6]

Personal

Watson who has lived in Queensland since she was a baby, was born on 20 September 1982 in Auckland, New Zealand.^[7] She was born with bilateral leg metaphyseal dysplasia, which bowed her tibia and femur bones. Since the age of 9, she underwent multiple surgeries until she was 34, where her last attempt at correcting her legs have failed, as it is known now that she suffers a genetic predespsotion that her bones will continue to always grow bowed. Watson now suffers from multiple medical issues such as bone effusion, loss of sensation, muscle atrophy, chronic pain and osteonecrosis.^[7] Watson uses a wheelchair but can also walk at times with great difficulty or uses the aid of crutches. Her disability is progressive and degenerative.^[7]

Her name Hani, (pronounced ‘Har-Nee’) has a special meaning to her Niuean Polynesian background – it means “being one with the water.” ^[7] Hani currently resides in Queensland.^[8]

Powerlifting

Watson spent a great deal of time in the gym as her father was a bodybuilder.^[3] In 2021, Watson took up para-powerlifting competitively. At the 2021 World Para-Powerlifting Championships in Georgia, she finished eighth and broke the Oceania record with a press of 120 kg in the +86 kilogram.^[9][10]

Watson has been on a steady increase since her international debut at the Georgia Tbilisi World Championships in 2021 by also securing Bronze at the Asia Oceania Championships in South Korea in 2022.^[11]

Weeks after securing Bronze at the Asia Oceania Championships, she won a bronze medal breaking Australia’s 16 year drought in the heavyweight event at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.^[12]

After a successful 3 year pathway to the Paris Paralympics, she was ranked eighth in the Women's 86 kg + with a best lift of 137 kg.^[11] At the 2024 Paris Paralympics, she finished sixth in the Women's 86 kg + with a lift of 133 kg.^[13]

References

1. "Hani Watson". Birmingham2022.com. Birmingham Organising Committee for the 2022 Commonwealth Games Limited. Retrieved 23 January 2023.
2. "Para-powerlifter Hani Watson: 'There are people who don't want to be your inspiration, but why not?' | Emma Kemp". the Guardian. 15 June 2022. Retrieved 19 September 2022.
3. "Meet Australia's 'Superwoman' Of Para-Powerlifting | Paralympics Australia". 21 April 2022. Retrieved 19 September 2022.
4. "Dynamic Para-powerlifting Duo are out to Break 16-year Medal Drought | Commonwealth Games Australia". commonwealthgames.com.au. 15 June 2022. Retrieved 19 September 2022.
5. "Para-powerlifter Hani Watson: "There are people who don't want to be your inspiration, but why not?" | commonwealth games". actionfotoz.com. Retrieved 19 September 2022.
6. "Powerlifting Resurgence Gains Pace With Paris 2024 Selections | Paralympics Australia". www.paralympic.org.au. 25 July 2024. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
7. "Hani Watson Results | Commonwealth Games Australia". commonwealthgames.com.au. 18 June 2022. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
8. "Jindalee Local To Represent Country In Para-powerlifting At Commonwealth Games". Centenary Today. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
9. "Meet Australia's 'Superwoman' Of Para-Powerlifting | Paralympics Australia". www.paralympic.org.au. 21 April 2022. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
10. "Scholl Sets Big Personal Best At Para-Powerlifting World Championships | Paralympics Australia". www.paralympic.org.au. 13 December 2021. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
11. "Paralympic ranking List 5 July 2024" (PDF). World Para Powerlifting. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
12. Vaughan, Roger (4 August 2022). "It's elementary as Watson wins bronze". Hunter Valley News. Retrieved 19 September 2022.
13. corporateName=, jurisdiction=Queensland; sector=government (9 September 2024). "Paris Paralympics 2024 Results: Day 11". www.qasport.qld.gov.au. Retrieved 24 September 2024.

External links

• Paralympics Australia Biography
• Commonwealth Games Australia Profile
• World Para Powerlifting Results