PARALYMPICS LONDON 2012: Bronze for powerlifter Zoe Newsom as Peddles finally retires

By Sportsbeat staff, London 2012

ZOE Newson, the youngest member of Great Britain's powerlifting squad, delivered on her promise to capture Paralympic bronze.

The 20-year-old celebrated her Games debut by equaling her personal best to take third spot in the under-40kg class.

Newson opened up with a lift of 84kg but the failed with her first attempt at equaling her personal best of 88kg, but then successfully completed her second attempt.

And that was enough to guarantee her a medal. Although Vietnam’s Thi Hong Nguyen managed the same total, Newson took the medal due to her lower body weight.

“I’m really proud,” she said. “I thought I’d come here and be fourth or fifth and maybe set a personal best, but I’m so excited now.

“Usually I’m so laid back whatever happens, but this means a lot to me,” she added. “The crowd really helped me and it’s really good that they are here to support you.

“Most of my family and friends were here as well, so it was awesome.”

Elsewhere, Anthony Peddle, competing at his seventh and last Paralympic Games – came eighth in the men’s under-48kg category.

"I would like to have done better for all the home supporters but it wasn't meant to be,” he said.

“The support from the crowd was incredible. After my first and second lifts I was almost in tears – it really affects you and obviously makes you try that little bit harder. I won the gold in Sydney so that will always be special, but this was absolutely amazing.

"That’s me done now. To quote Steve Redgrave, ‘If you ever see me in a lycra suit again, you've got my permission to shoot me.

“I need a holiday and after that I might return to the sport in another capacity – perhaps coaching and I could well turn up in Rio.”

© Sportsbeat 2012