Debbie Smith - Class of 1983
Journey to Olympic Weightlifting
"When I was at St Brigid's, in Year 8, we were asked in English to write an essay about what we wanted to achieve. Mine was to represent Australia as a gymnast. Well, it wasn’t quite gymnastics but Olympic weightlifting.
I started training in 1984, pioneering Women's Weightlifting in Australia. I was the first woman weightlifter ever.
I competed in the first of many World Championships in 1987 finishing 4th. I always finished in the top 10.
I held many Australian and Commonwealth records. Women’s weightlifting was not part of the Olympics until 2000 Sydney. I had retired at this stage. I competed Internationally for 10 years."
