PAUL COFFA
THE EXCITING PERIOD - success breeds success
1976 - 1985
Martin Leach
Category 110kg – Best Total 360kg
ELITE STANDARD
Martin Leach was one of the first young
lifters to come across from De La Salle
College. He was so committed to the sport.
Very seldom during his lifting career did he
miss a training session. He became a pillar
at Hawthorn. In his early days he attracted
many young kids from De La Salle College
to participate in the sport of weightlifting.
Eventually, he became Paul Coffa’s assistant
coach for many years. Once Paul left
for Nauru he took over coaching the
Hawthorn machine for quite a number of years.
Martin was Australian Coach at many
International events and World
Championships. He was the Australian
Assistant coach at the 1990 and 1994
Commonwealth Games.
Then in 1998 and 2002 he was the National Coach for Australia at the Commonwealth Games.
In addition, Martin coached the Australian Olympic Team at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games and the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games.
As a lifter he won many Australian and Oceania Championships. He competed for Australia at World Championships and Commonwealth Championships.
His nickname was: FARGO
Pedro Sanchez
Category 52kg Best Total 220kg
ELITE STANDARD
Many times Victorian and Australian champion. Represented Australia at many International events including World Championships. Completed in the First Oceania Championships in 1980 in Melbourne.
His nickname was: SPEEDY
Andrew Forrest
Category 60kg & 67.5kg Best Total 260kg
ELITE STANDARD
Victorian, Australian and Oceania champion. Represented Australia at many international events including World Championships, and set many junior and senior records during his career.
Damian Brown
Category 75kg Best Total 330kg
ELITE STANDARD
Represented Australia at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics ,1996 Atlanta Olympics and the 2000 Sydney Olympics. One of the greatest success stories, a product of the school system in Victoria.
Won Bronze at the 1990 Auckland Commonwealth Games. Won 1 gold, 1 silver and 1 bronze at the 1994 Victoria Commonwealth Games. Won 2 Gold and 1 Bronze at Kuala Lumpur Commonwealth Games and won 1 gold at the 2002
Manchester Commonwealth Games. He was given the honor to carry the Australian Flag at the Opening ceremony in Manchester. Damian won the Victoria, Australia and Oceania championships on many occasions and set many state records.
His nickname was: BROWNY
Harvey Goodman
Category 90kg Best Total 365kg
ELITE STANDARD -
Represented Australia at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics and the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. Another product of the school system in Victoria. He attended the De La Salle College.
Harvey won 3 Bronze medals at the 1990 Auckland Commonwealth Games, four years later he won 3 gold medals at the 1994 Victoria Commonwealth Games. Harvey won Victoria, Australia and Oceania championships on many occasion and set many state, National, Oceania and commonwealth records. He represented Australia at many world championships.
His nickname was: GOD
Simon Grace (Major Grace)
Category 60kg Best Total 255kg
ELITE STANDARD
Simon was a student of De La Salle College. He won many junior championships and competed also in quite a few International events for Australia. He represented Australia at the 1987 World Junior Championships held in Belgrade.
His club nickname : TERRY THE TOURIST
Mark Blair
Category 67.5kg Best Total295kg
ELITE STANDARD
Another student coming from St Bede's College. World Class Lifter. 1990 Auckland Commonwealth Games Bronze Medallist. World championship representative. Victorian, Australian and Oceania champion and record holder.
Brendan Webster
Category 82.5kg Best Total 332.5kg
ELITE STANDARD
Another student coming from De La Salles College.
Brendan represented Australia at the World Championship and many other international events. Victorian, Australian and Oceania champion.
His club nickname: BREN GUN
George Ikosidekas
Category 110kg Best Total 360kg
ELITE STANDARD
One of the strongest club member Hawthorn ever had. He competed many times internationally including World Junior and World Senior championships. George competed on numerous occasions in Victorian and Australian Championships.
Darren Walker
Category 100kg Best Total 352.5kg
ELITE STANDARD
Darren come from the Broadmeadows club. A brilliant junior represented Australia at world Championships on many occasions. Many times, Victorian champion and was the 1987 Australian Senior champion.
Peter Mancuso
Category100 kg Best Total 310kg
ELITE STANDARD
A very talented and committed lifter. Represented Australia at many International Tournaments. Victorian champion.
Steve Kettner
Category 110+kg Best Total 385kg
ELITE STANDARD
Represented Australia at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. Another product of the school program in Victoria. Steve won 3 Bronze medals at the 1990 Auckland Commonwealth Games, four years later he won 1 gold medals and 2 silver at the 1994 Victoria Commonwealth Games. Bronze medal winner at the World Junior championships held in Greece in 1987. Steve won Victorian and Australian and Oceania championships many times and set many national records. He represented Australia at Junior and Senior World Championships various times.
His nickname at the club was: JETHRO
Jim Bouyoukas
Category 67.5kg Best Total 255kg
ELITE STANDARD
Another talented young lifter, competed in many state and national junior events. Retired at a very early stage.
Kelvin Harper
Category 67.5kg Best Total 285kg
ELITE STANDARD
Kelvin came from the school program. He represented Australia in many International events and also competed at World Junior and World Senior championships. Many times, Victorian and Australian champion and record holder.
Tony Damches
Category 75kg Best Total 305kg
ELITE STANDARD
Coming from the school system, Tony became one of the best Junior lifters in Australia. Competed for Australia in many International events including two World Junior championships. Many times, Victorian and Australian Junior champion and record holder.
Club nickname: HOOKY
Stephen Haldun
Category 75 kg Best Total 297.5kg
ELITE STANDARD
Another great talent. Stephen competed at many State and National events. He also competed in international events for Australia on various occasions.
Armando Miotti
Category 82.5kg Best Total 300kg
ELITE STANDARD
Armando competed at International events and represented Victoria at Australian championships. He was also the state champion.
David Doherty
Category 75kg Best Total 280kg
ELITE STANDARD
Competed at many international events including the 1988 World Junior Championship in Athens. Represented Victoria at many National Events.
David Kayser
Category 82.5kg Best total 275kg
A top junior lifter competing at many international tournaments including the junior tournament in Greece in 1986 and the Maccabi Games in Tel Aviv.
Stephen Lele
Category 100kg. Best total 332.5kg
ELITE STANDARD
Represented Australia at the 1983 World Junior Championships in Egypt and competed at other international events. Stephen represented Victoria at many Australian National Championships.
David Lowenstein
Category 60kg Best Total 260kg
ELITE STANDARD
1986 Edinburgh Commonwealth Games Silver Medallist. Represented Australia at many world Junior and Senior championships. Many times Victorian and Australian Junior and Senior champion.
Club Nickname: LOWY
Charles Garzarella
Category 100kg Best Total 310kg
ELITE STANDARD
1988 Seoul Olympic Games representative. Charles was the first Australian junior lifter to win medals at the World Junior Championships when he won 3 Bronze medals in Egypt in 1983.
Bronze medallist at the 1986 Commonwealth Games held in Edinburgh. Represented Australia at many world events including 2 World Junior Championships. Many times Australian and Oceania Champion.
Club nickname: BONK
Nick Cimino
Category 110+ Best total 375kg
ELITE STANDARD
One of the greatest super-heavies. Standing 190.5cm and weighing 150kg, he was massive. Represented Australia at many International events including the Oceania Championships in Tahiti in 1987
His nickname was: CHEECH
Evan Lycourinos
Category 100kg Best Total 310kg
ELITE STANDARD
Represented the Hawthorn club at Victorian and Australian level. Evan also represented Australia at international tournaments.
Dr. David Kennedy played a big part in the development of the Australian and Oceania lifters. He made sure that he attended every major event and that lifters were injury free.
Bill Stellios
Category 67.5/ 75kg Best Total 310kg
ELITE STANDARD
Represented Australia at the 1980 Moscow Olympics and the 1984 Olympics. He won Gold at the 1978 Commonwealth Games in Edmonton, Silver at the 1982 Brisbane Commonwealth Games and Gold at the 1986 Edinburgh Commonwealth Games. He competed at many world Championships and was Australian Champion and record holder for many years. Bill came from Sydney where he was coached by Bruce Walsh for many years and in 1982, he shifted to Victoria and joined the Hawthorn Club.
Michael Brittain
Category 75kg Best total 295kg
ELITE STANDARD
A De La Salle student. Very talented lifter, lifted for Hawthorn for many years before shifting to another club. He went on to compete at national and international events, producing Elite results.
Frank Mattea
Category 100kg Best Total 312.5kg
ELITE STANDARD
1985 Australian champion. Represented Australia at quite a few international events including the 1985 Australian Games. He took part in many National events.
John McNamara
Category 105kg Best Total 345kg
ELITE STANDARD
Started lifting in his early 20's. Great team member. He competed for Victoria at National events. Sadly John passed away at an early age.
Los Angeles 1984 Olympic Games – Dean Lukin celebrating the Olympic Gold Medal
The 1984 Los Angeles Olympics was my first Olympics representing Australia, and what a thrill it was. The team consisted of 4 lifters.
Four of the greatest weightlifters Australia has ever produced. The four lifters were Dean Lukian – super heavy, Robert Kabbas- 82.5kg category, Tony Pignone- 75kg category and Bill Stellios – 67.5kg category. The team won 1 Gold, 1 Silver and two 7th Place. It was magnificent. Dean Lukin won Gold in the super-heavy category, Robert Kabbas won Silver medal in the 82.5kg category, Tony Pignone placed 7th in the 75kg, category and Bill Stellios placed seven also in the 67.5kg category.
Coaching a Gold and a Silver medal in my first Olympics was beyond my imagination. The lifters were well trained and well prepared thanks to their personal coaches. I’m referring to Leon Holmes, Bill Kabbas, Bruce Walsh and Bob Taylor.
Robert Kabbas (Silver Medal)
Tony Pignone 7th Place
Bill Stellios 7th Place
Phillip Christou
Category 82.5kg Best Total 335kg
ELITE STANDARD
Coached all his career by Michael Noonan, Phillip joined the Hawthorn club in the mid 1980's. He was one of the greatest Junior Australian lifters ever produced. Won bronze at the 1994 Commonwealth Games. Phillip represented Australia at World Juniors and Seniors. He established many Australian records and won Junior and Senior Australian Championships on many occasions.
Club Nickname CUGY BEAR.
Peter Ikosidekas
Category 100kg Best Total 342.5kg
ELITE STANDARD
One of the greatest Hawthorn members. He competed at the 1986 World Junior Championships in Germany. He won the 1988 Australian championships and competed for the club at many state Junior and Senior Championships. Peter also competed at a number of international events.
Club Nickname: IKO
Mark Dowse
Category 82.5kg Best Total 295.5kg
ELITE STANDARD
A De La Salle student become another great member of the Hawthorn Club. Represented Australia at the 1984 World Junior Championship held in Italy. Mark competed at many international events and also at many State and National Championships.
Michael Proietto
Category 110+kg Best Total 305kg
ELITE STANDARD
Michael competed quite a few times Internationally and was many times a member of the state team competing at National event. Michael won the 1987 Victorian Championships.
James Perceval
Category 110kg Best Total 307.5kg
ELITE STANDARD
James represented Australia at the 1984 World Junior Championships held in Italy and competed for Victoria at many National Championships.
Adam Owens
Category 82.5kg Best Total 277.5kg
(A) Grade Standard
Spiros Pavlopoulos
Category 110+kg Best Total 297.5kg
(A) Grade Standard
David Santini
Category 105kg Best Total 255kg
(A) Grade Standard
Alex Goodman
Category 67.5kg Best Total 205kg
(A) Grade Standard
Mark Brittain
Category 65/60kg Best Total 200kg
(A) Grade Standard
Neville Cornelios
Category 60kg Best Total 200kg
(A) Grade Standard
Donald Rankin
Category 67.5kg Best Total 220kg
(A) Grade Standard
Simon Chant
Category 60kg Best Total 220kg
(A) Grade Standard
Tony Cusolito
Category 75kg Best Total 250kg
(A) Grade Standard
George Tsatsari
Category 100kg Best Total 265kg
(A) Grade Standard
John Stolar
Category 82.5kg Best Total 260kg
(A) Grade Standard
Milos Trinka
Category 82.5kg Best Total 230kg
(A) Grade Standard
Miroslav Stepnicka
Category 75kg Best Total 250kg
(A) Grade Standard
Martin Weiss
Category 67.5kg Best Total 197.5kg
(B) Grade Standard
Chris Biddlo
Category 110+kg Best Total 265kg
(B) Grade Standard
Martin Rogers
Category 60kg Best Total 187.5kg
(B) Grade Standard
Boyd Cohen
Category 60kg Best Total 200kg
(B) Grade Standard
Debbie Smith
60kg category
Hawthorn first ever female weightlifter placed 6th at the first World female championships. Many times, Australian champion and record holder. Debbie placed 5th at the 1993 Worlds.
These 3 young men were a joy to look after. The 3 brothers competed at many State and National events. Harold competed for Australia at the 1985 World Junior Championships held in Scotland. He also represented Australia in quite a few other international events.
Wolfgang Flechsig
Category 60kg Best Total 210kg
(A) Grade Standard
Harold Flechsig
Category 67.5kg Best Total 262.5kg
Elite Standard
Klaus Flechsig
Category 70kg Best Total 255kg
(A) Grade Standard
During this period of time there were many lifters who trained at Hawthorn, but unfortunately I don't have any photographs of them.
NAME CATEGORY BEST TOTAL
Joshua Brooke 52kg 192.5kg
Mark Fisher 60kg
Monty La Rue 60kg 200kg
Paul Lucas 67.5kg
Peter Bedford 67.5kg
Mark Bergin 67.5kg
Leo Ryan 67.5kg
Sam Shaddock 67.5kg 227.5kg
Phil Maunder 67.5kg 257.5kg
Andrew Beyer 75kg
Chris Kennedy 75kg
Chris Wain 75kg
Greg Williams 75kg
Bruno Zielke 75kg
NAME CATEGORY BEST TOTAL
Paul Limanas 75kg 230kg
Greg McNaughton 75kg
David Oswell 75kg
Stephen De Luca 82.5kg
Jim Pliambas 90kg
Luke Francis 90kg 205kg
Ian Sheppard 90kg 240kg
Chris Sinclair 90kg 285kg
Leo Humar 100kg
Go Terrence 100kg
Mathew William 100kg 232.5kg
Arthur Pardalis 100kg 262.5kg
Mark Decok 110+kg
Phil Nettle 110+kg 310kg