Benjamin Alexander Turner
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| Medal record | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Competitor for  Australia |
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| Men's weightlifting | |||
| Commonwealth Games | |||
| Gold | 2006 Melbourne | 69 kg weightlifting | |
Ben Turner, born 23 January 1984 in Brisbane, is an Australian weightlifter best known for his performance at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne where he won the Gold Medal in the 69 kg division. On June 7, 2008 Ben missed selection in the 2008 Olympic Games Team at the Olympic Nomination Trials in Melbourne, narrowly losing to good friend and training partner Damon Kelly on the final lift of the competition.
[edit] Early Life
Ben grew up in Carina, an eastern suburb in Brisbane, the state capital of Queensland. He attended St. Oliver Plunkett's Catholic Primary School from 1990-1993. During these years he developed an interest in Australian Rules Football, Cricket and Rugby League. From 1994-2001 he attended Iona College in Wynnum. During his time there he was involved in Cricket, Rugby League in Junior School (1994-1996), and Rugby Union (1997-2001) in high school.
[edit] Weightlifting
Ben developed an interest in Olympic Weightlifting after seeing the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta on television. It wasn't until 1999 that Ben did anything about his interest due to high school commitments. After seeing an article in a local paper, he enquired to the local club about trying the sport. In 2000, Queensland Weightlifting came to his high school to run the national talent identification clean and jerk competition. Ben, weighing 60kg, was able to lift 85kg awkwardly and place 3rd in the event. Within a matter of weeks Ben had started training at the Cougars Weightlifting Club at Chandler, the site of the 1982 Commonwealth Games.
