Prem Bajaj, a national bench press record holder and four time Australian champion topped the podium in the Oceania Championships.
The championship was attended by athletes from eight Oceanic countries including Australia and New Zealand.
Mr Bajaj won gold medal in bench press category.
“I am cherishing this moment as it was a tough competition. I won gold after my third attempt,” said Mr Bajaj in an interview with SBS Punjabi.
Earlier in August 2017, Mr Bajaj won a gold medal setting a new national record at the national championship held at Melbourne.
The competition was attended by over 300 weightlifters from across the nation.
“I clinched gold medal in 83 - 93 Kg weight category. In the Bench Press attempt I lifted 167Kg to set a new national record. The last best was of 166Kg which was set five years ago,” Mr Bajaj told SBS Punjabi in a previously recorded interview.
“I have a passion for powerlifting. I started this game about 33 years ago back in Punjab, India.”
“Before coming to Australia, I had three gold medals from national championships that were held at different times in India.”
Mr Bajaj represented India in a weightlifting competition held in Sydney in 1992.
Prem Bajaj at Melbourne studio (Photo Preetinder Singh Grewal) Source: Photo Preetinder Singh Grewal
“I won a bronze medal for India at the international competition held in Sydney. This was about the time when I decided to move to Australia from my native place in Patiala, Punjab,” said Mr Bajaj.
“Due to some family commitments, I had to abandon my passion of weightlifting from 1992 to 2013."
“I made a comeback in powerlifting by clinching a gold medal in Asia-Oceania International competition held in Singapore in 2014.”
“Representing Australia at an international level gives me sense of pride and happiness. I wish to win a gold medal for Australia at the World championship.”
“I would like to advise my young fellow weightlifters to do regular gym sessions. There is no substitute to hard work.”
For more news and updates, follow SBS Punjabi on and .
Prem Bajaj also won a gold medal at the Australian Masters Games held at Adelaide in 2015. He gives credit of his success to his wife. Source: Supplied
