Navy News
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Petty Officer to represent Wales at Commonwealth Games
12 February 2018
A Royal Navy Petty Officer has been chosen by Team Wales to compete in the Heavyweight Para Powerlifting contest at the Commonwealth Games in Australia in April.
PO Sean Gaffney, 46, has a below-the-knee left-leg amputation from an injury in Service in 1999.
After undergoing more than 20 operations, he won an Invictus Games heavyweight powerlifting gold at the 2016 Orlando Games.
He brought home a further three medals from those games, including a gold in the one-minute indoor rowing competition.
Based at RNAS Yeovilton, Sean made his international weightlifting debut at the eighth Fazza Dubai 2017 World Para Powerlifting World Cup.
Since then he has competed in Hungary, the UK, and in Malta at the inaugural Military, Police and Fire Powerlifting World Championships – where competing against able-bodied athletes, Sean secured a bronze medal.
Sean is also the current Welsh, British and World Indoor Rowing Champion. He recently set the World Record for PR3 2km at the British Indoor Rowing Championships, and is looking to retain his title at the upcoming World Indoor Rowing Championships, which take place this month in Alexandria, Virginia, United States.