Two-time discus national champion Chad Wright is hoping that he won’t have to choose between the throw which is his “passion” and another sporting discipline he found out that he is good at – weightlifting.

Wright, who has represented Jamaica in the discus throw at the highest level, the Olympic Games and the World Athletics Championships, recently won his first regional weightlifting competition when he was first in the snatch as well as the clean and jerk at an event held in Barbados where he was representing Jamaica.

Competing in the 109KG division, the 33 year-old Wright won the snatch section with 135Kg and also the clean and jerk with 162Kg, both his personal bests. He told the Jamaica Observer he only started the sport seriously three years ago.

He said however that he had been preparing for this entry in the sport since he started lifting weights at Calabar High as part of his training for the throwing events.

“Both lifting for throws and weightlifting work together” he said, “learning to lift properly for weight lifting actually assists you in preparing for the throws as you get stronger and also helps to prevent injuries.”

He sad he was ‘discovered’ by president of the Jamaica Weightlifting Federation, Dr Mark Broomfield, who encouraged him to give the sport a try and he accepted the invitation and has not looked back.

Wright’s first overseas event came last year at the Dallas Championships in the USA where he placed fourth in his weight class in the snatch and second in the clean and jerk.