Former international paraswimmer and 2012 torchbearer Lauren Sullivan has been crowned a world champion powerlifter, following success in Canada at the 2017 World Dwarf Games.
Lauren, from Carshalton, had been hoping to compete in the Rio paralympics but year-long leg surgery, involving six months in Ilizarov cages and seven breaks in her legs, brought her swimming career to a dramatic halt in 2016.
Determined to compete for Great Britain again, Lauren turned her attention to the World Dwarf Games, which is held every 4 years and the sport of powerlifting. She travelled to Guelph, in Canada, as part of the 79 strong Great Britain team to compete and, after a swimming bronze in the 200 metres freestyle, along with a silver as part of the GB ladies freestyle team, Lauren struck gold in her powerlifting class, lifting over half of her bodyweight to claim her world champion title.
After the games, Lauren has hung up her goggles for good but is enjoying her powerlifting success.
Submitted by Emma Sullivan
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