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Leeds Met Powerlifter selected for Commonwealth Games
The 25-year-old, who is in his final year of BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science at Leeds Metropolitan University, competed in the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, India and most recently achieved world records in both the Asian Open Championships in November and the IPC World Powerlifting Championships in Dubai last month.
Ali commented: "Being selected for my second Commonwealth Games is such an honour. It's my second major championships this year after the World Championships, but I consider it to be just as important as I really want to attempt that magic 200kg.
"It's hard to believe but for Paralympic powerlifting the Commonwealth Games is the hardest competition to win. It is different from other major championships as its categorised by an AH formula (which means the winner is determined by multiplying a figure representing the competitor's bodyweight by their best result,) therefore, I'll be competing against lifters who weigh between 49kg-72kg, which makes it very interesting."
Ali is looking forward to the event, saying: "I love competing in a multi-sport environment and meeting loads of different athletes. Team England is like one big family and everyone supports each other no matter what sports their competing in.
"Those that have been following my journey will know that I'm very close to that historic 200kg. I would love to lift it at the Games - that is the one thing driving me this summer."