Series of Paralympics 2004 athlete profiles

Athlete : George Taamaru Event : Powerlifting +100kg Country : New Zealand

30 year old George Taamaru is New Zealand's 'big man' on the Powerlifting team. Bench pressing for New Zealand in the Men's +100kg event he hopes to break his 242.5kg world record to take Gold in Athens. Taamaru is the current World Champion and is the point of reference in the +100kg weight category.

Originally from the Polynesian island of Rarotonga, but now living in Auckland (New Zealand) and studying for a business degree.

He started Powerlifting in 1999 just before the Sydney Paralympics and hopes that the experience gained there will give him the edge in Athens.

Like most Paralympians Taamaru is dedicated to his sport and trains up to 3 hours daily.

 

Sport : Powerlifting