BLIA NZ YAD Sean Awarded Gold Medal in the 84th Olympic Weightlifting Auckland (OWA) Championship
On 25th of March 2023, the 84th Olympic Weightlifting Auckland (OWA) Championship announced that BLIA NZ YAD Sean Chua had won the championship with a record of 90kg snatch and 130kg clean and jerk, a total weight of 220kg, under the 81kg weight class, taking first place.
At the age of 27, Sean has accumulated 7 years of training, and in his first competition in 2022, he stood out remarkably amongst the 14 competitors and achieved first place. Sean delivered the delightful news to the Venerables at the first instance he won the championship, saying, "Thank you for all the encouragement and support from FGS NZ Abbess Manshin and Venerables. The Temple has helped me gain a lot of confidence."
Weightlifting is an embodiment of the depths of an individual's strength, courage, and determination. Sean has been involved in the Temple for over 10 years with various responsibilities, and his role as the Commander of the Fo Guang Chinese Lion Dance Team has been particularly impressive and outstanding. He has participated in forming the Fo Guang Chinese Lion Dance Team since 2010. Over the recent years during Chinese New Year, Sean has led police officers from the NZ Police Department in forming the Lion Dance Team, which brought auspicious blessings and joy to the Temple.
Sean shared, "Abbess Manshin has always said, 'We were fed so that we have strength.' However, the Temple has not only fulfilled our needs in the body but has also helped us to recharge spiritually and mentally. 6 days a week, 2 hours a day of training wasn't hardship as I can see my improvements day by day. Nevertheless, the most painstaking fact is actually having the will and ambition, but being unable to be fit to take action or perform. Henceforth, 'concentration' isn't just the willpower to combat and tenaciously strive, but also to take rests, having a balanced diet, and a concisely planned time management."
Upon mentioning his next goal, Sean expressed, "Weightlifting is a competition against yourself. The championship I won today will be the milestone achievement towards the National Championship. With a further 5 more years, I will be working hard and striving towards a higher and more ambitious goal."
Sean, alongside NZ YAD members, always keeps the Venerable's teachings constantly in mind: "Through sophisticated services, we can allow our lives to flourish; shouldering responsibilities to discover our potentials. Conveying compassion and kindness to the fields of merits and the community can fruitful achievements be obtained in time."