Luke Gardner, 27, of Birkdale has become a university heavyweight.
This year, he commenced a Bachelor of Business in Supply Chain and Logistics and will take a short break from his studies to compete in the FISU World University Games in Merida, Mexico from November 10 to 20. This event is held every four years for future Olympians, in the same year as the Olympics and includes 24 different sports.
By way of a warm up for the world event, Gardner will compete in the Eleiko Club Challenge to be held at the Australian Fitness and Health Expo at the Brisbane Convention Centre on October 22 and 23.
Weightlifting compromises two lifts. These are the snatch which is a movement that goes from the ground to overhead in one movement and the clean and jerk which is two movements one to the chest then from the chest to above head. Gardner’s best are 135kg snatch and 175kg clean and jerk.
Gardner has been training at Cougars Weightlifting Club at Chandler for 15 years, since the age of 13. He trains with Miles and Angela Wydall of Birkdale and both Australian Level coaches. Currently the club is recognised as the Australian Club Champions, a title held for the past four years.
The club coaches children from 10 years to Masters lifters of 60 years old.
“It’s a great sport for fitness and strength,” Gardner said.
Gardner was a previous recipient of The Redlands Times Junior Sports Star of the Year award and has since represented Australia on several occasions including Youth/Junior and Senior Australian Teams at Oceania, Commonwealth and World level.
He has only recently returned to the competition after injury in November 2015. He was previously ranked as the second best lifter in Australia at the Australian Championships in his weight division in 2013, 2014 and 2015 .
Gardner currently holds the Queensland record in the 94kg division for the clean and jerk of 171kgs.
