Malek Chamoun, a 23 year old athlete from Summer Hill, is hoping to represent Australia in the 85 kg class Weightlifting at the 2012 Olympics despite having a limited amount of vision.
Malek was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa when he was seven. It causes degeneration of light sensitive cells and the pigment layer of the retina reducing night vision and visual acuity. While he still retains some vision he is legally blind.
Weightlifting is a sport where Malek's vision impairment only has a minor impact on his ability to be competitive. "It's hard to get my grip straight on the markings so I have to take my time and feel for them. Also you need a lot of balance. Most people say they can't lift with their eyes closed but I manage with what I can see. Because it takes me longer to get out onto the platform I always have to practice moving around the area the day before competition. I make sure I'm prepared and can use the full minute they allow you to get out there."
Malek is already used to lifting on an Olympic platform, training at home on the platform used in Sydney 2000 which his father bought at auction. "It's too crowded at a gym and I don't want to trip over weights lying around."
A strong interest in how the body works has also led Malek to complete a Diploma in Remedial Massage at TAFE. "It's something I can do without a lot of sight. Currently I am just practicing on mates in the gym till after the Trials."
Vision Australia provides orientation and mobility services to hundreds of people like Malek who are blind or have low vision enabling them to be Independent. "They helped with learning to use a cane. We practiced going to TAFE and back. Which made studying much easier"