Maddi Harper

Ms JENNY AITCHISON (Maitland—Minister for Regional Transport and Roads)—Maddi Harper is a remarkable young Maitland athlete who represented Australia at the recent International Powerlifting Federation sub-Junior World Championships in Malta, placing 7th out of a field of 17th. More remarkable is that she is just 15 and was competing against athletes up to three years older than her. The Year 10 student from St Bedes Catholic College not only set personal records at the championships, but also 2 Australian records whilst competing as the youngest ever Australian at these championships. Maddi now holds 4 Sub-Junior Oceania records in her weight division, only one short of all possible records available to her. This from an athlete that took up the sport little more than 18 months ago. Maddi has used powerlifting to take her mind off the stresses of school, and it has helped her discover a second passion in nutrition and how food affects her body and performance. Of course, Maddi's success comes with the support of her family with her mum, dad, older sister and younger brother all watching her compete. Congratulations to Maddi on her amazing results in Malta.