WEIGHTLIFTING: Athletes are fueled by the adrenaline of success.
They thrive on pushing themselves to the limit to go that 0.01 second quicker, to jump 1cm higher and lift that 1kg more.
That mental fortitude is what sets the select few elite athletes that are able to perform on the world stage from the ones watching at home.
So after two Olympic Games, a full complement of Commonwealth Games medals and countless Australian titles, weightlifter Damon Kelly is more determined than ever to push himself that little bit harder.
“I still love weightlifting and know that I still have improvement in me,” said the 31-year-old Queenslander who competes in the over 105kg division.
“Knowing that pushes me to continue to want to succeed in the sport.
“I was hitting some really good weights in the lead-up to the Glasgow Commonwealth Games before I tore my quad.
“That was obviously a set-back but I still managed to lift within five kilos of my best weight.
“That gives me the confidence to know that I can still hit new heights and break my personal best.”
If Kelly is successful in his bid to make the Rio Games he will become a part of a select club of Australian weightlifters.
Only Los Angeles 1984 silver medallist Robert Kabbas (1976, 80, 84) and Damian Brown (1992, 96, 2000) have managed to compete in the green and gold at the highest level three times.
“To make three Olympic Games is certainly a rare occurrence in weightlifting.
“To be one of only three Australians to have done that would be a great achievement and something that also motivates you to keep going.”
And while he knows what it takes to make an Olympic Games, Kelly has been thrown some new hurdles to overcome as he strives for greatness.
“With a second child and a second job as a coach alongside my development officer role it took a while to adjust how I could fit everything in.
“I had some time off after a big six months and am now balancing training with work and life at home.
“I’m currently training four times a week and will get this up to five sessions and then six as we head into next year.”
Ramping up training and competing will be necessary if Kelly is to reach his goals as Rio draws closer but he knows not to overdo it having been in the sport for over a decade.
“Train smarter, not harder,” he believes.
“I’m focusing on the Commonwealth Championships (September), the Australian Open in December, and then the Oceania championships next year.
“There is a fair amount of time between each of these which means I have a long build up and can reach my best.”
When he is not pushing himself to the limits Kelly is busy working as Weightlifting Queensland’s development officer, visiting schools and encouraging kids to try out the sport.
“I do a presentation to the students and get them practicing some of the techniques with broomsticks which they love. Those that are interested we get in contact with and see if they want to get involved.
“I also work with strength and conditioning coaches in some schools and coach at others.
“Memberships are currently on the rise so the programs are working.”
Kelly’s years of dedication to his sport are certainly paying off with a host of young stars coming through the ranks to represent Australia on the world stage.
“We recently sent three guys and three girls to the World Juniors who all still have two years of eligibility which was encouraging.
“It appears the future is strong.”
With two youngsters waiting in the wings to follow in their dad’s footsteps Kelly might just be right.
Matt Bartolo
Olympics.com.au
