Ben Turner

Turner, weighing 60 kg, lifted 85 kg and placed 3rd in the event.

Within a matter of weeks Turner had started training at the Cougars Weightlifting Club at Chandler under coach Miles Wydall, the site of the 1982 Commonwealth Games.

Ben Turner (born 23 January 1984 in Brisbane) is an Australian weightlifter best known for his performances at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, where he won the gold medal in the 69 kg category, and the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, India, where he won Silver in the 77 kg category.

Turner is also a coach and has worked with former top Australian female lifter Erika Yamasaki.

Turner grew up in Carina, an eastern suburb in Brisbane, the state capital of Queensland.

He attended St. Oliver Plunkett's Catholic Primary School from 1990 to 1993.

During these years he developed an interest in Australian Rules Football, Cricket and Rugby league.

From 1994 to 2001 he attended Iona College in Wynnum.

During his time there he was involved in cricket, rugby league in Junior School (1994–1996), and rugby union (1997–2001) in high school, playing all at representative level.

Turner developed an interest in Olympic Weightlifting after seeing the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta on television.

It wasn't until 1999 that Turner did anything about his interest due to high school commitments.

After seeing an article in a local paper, he enquired to the local club about trying the sport.

In 2000, Queensland Weightlifting came to his high school to run the national talent identification clean and jerk competition.

In 2001, at the completion of Year 12, he decided to commit to weightlifting full-time.

At that point Turner withdrew from Queensland Cricket Under 17 Squad which he was a member of, sacrificing any further representative involvement in the sport.

Turner entered the Games ranked first in the Commonwealth and knew pressure would be on with the event being held in Australia.

Ben's concentration for the event got sidetracked when his father Ron suffered a stroke and was hospitalised.

However, Ron recovered relatively quickly and was released from hospital within a fortnight, obviously in a very weakened condition.

On 18 March Turner weighed in for 69 kg Men's division just under the limit at 68.97 kg, one of the heaviest in the division.

The Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre was sold out at the atmosphere was electric, particularly for the Australian.

Turner came out for his first attempt at 125 kg and negotiated the weight successfully, although the nerves were showing with Turner pulling the weight fractionally in front of his body which required a small step forward to balance the weight before being given the down signal.

He asked the weight to be raised to 128 kg for his second attempt.

Turner attempted to pull the weight from the floor and in the second pull the bar moved slightly in his left hand causing a rotation which tore a massive callus which resulted in Turner not being able to lock his left arm out overhead and missing the weight in front.

Turner had to quickly regroup in the warm up area as he was required to follow himself which allowed two minutes on the competition clock.

He quickly had his hand strapped by the team doctor Robert Mitchell and composed himself for his final attempt in the snatch section.

Turner confidently hustled out onto the platform to a huge cheer from the home crowd.

Turner lifted the weight with much aggression and easily locked the bar out overhead which left him in great contention for the next part of the competition.

At the completion of the snatch section, Turner was in third place behind the Malaysian and Indian competitors.

Turner wasn't concerned by this as he knew he had the strongest clean and jerk of all the competitors.

Turner asked for 158 kg as his first attempt in the clean and jerk.

This was a light weight for Ben, however it was a tactical move by the Australian coaches as they knew this lift would secure the bronze medal.

Turner easily lifted the weight and secured a medal for the home nation.

Another tactical call was made for Ben's second attempt.

This time 161 kg was requested and success would mean the silver would be secured.

Turner cleaned the weight easily and locked the weight out overhead but a sudden relaxation from Turner caused him to step forward but he still managed toehold the weight received a majority decision from the referees.

The tactics continued in the warm up room.

Finally the bar was asked to be loaded to 166 kg.

Turner knew the weight was well within reach as his best in this division was his own 171 kg Australian Record.

Success with the weight would mean Turner would be elevated to first position with only one lift remaining from the Malaysian lifter.

Turner ran out onto the platform.