Dubai World Cup: Swan Wins Junior Gold & Senior Bronze for GB

Mark Swan won Junior Gold and Senior Bronze for Great Britain at the Fazza Dubai 2021 Para Powerlifting World Cup over the weekend setting a new European Junior Record in the process.

Competing in the Men’s up to 65kg class, the 20-year-old lifter was successful on all three of his attempts producing a best effort of 179kg which secured him a place on the podium in the final qualifying competition before Tokyo 2020.

Gold went to Hocine Better of Algeria on 191kg while Silver went to Jorge Carinao of Chile who lifted 190kg and wholed a 14 strong field of athletes.

Swan ended the day 13kg clear of fourth placed Carlos Betancourt of Venezuela who headed a tight midfield battle on 165kg with Poland’s Marek Trykacz just 1kg adrift and Russia’s Alexandir Duikin a further 2kg back.

On his first lift Swan matched the European Junior Standard which he set himself in Manchester earlier this year by lifting 173kg.

He then extended his record with his second successful attempt hitting 178kg before adding an extra 1kg for his third and final lift which he managed to secure.

With his recent whirlwind arrival in the sport, Swan isn’t eligible for the standard Tokyo qualification pathway which required certain pre-requisite events over the 5-year cycle.

However, he could find himself in contention for a wildcard due to his strong form.

Swan’s lift was the equivalent to seventh in the Tokyo rankings with top 8 being the required normal standard, showing his ability to compete with the best in the world at such a young age.

Later this week two more Great Britain athletes will be in action. Micky Yule will take to the platform tomorrow in the Men’s up to 72kg category while Liam McGarry will compete on Wednesday in the Men’s over 107kg category.