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Chris Morgan, the  reigning British and Gay Games Powerlifting champion, has added the World Drug Free Powerlifting title to his growing collection of honors.

He was lifting in the Word Drug Free Powerlifting Championships, held in Turin, Italy, Dec.10 and 11 and completed lifts of 227.5 kilos (500.5 pounds) in Squat, 112.5 kg (247.5 pounds) in Bench Press and 240 kg (528 pounds) in Deadlift (for a combined 1,276 pounds) at a bodyweight of 165 pounds.

"I'm absolutely delighted to have completed one of the toughest competitions of my career and to have become World Champion in the process," said Morgan, who is openly gay. "2005 has been a very long year, with many injuries and setbacks. It has also been one of success and joy, by winning both the British and World Championship titles.

"I would like to thank my family, coach, Soho Gyms and the Gay Games for their unwavering support throughout my career. To win a world championship title out and proud is a dream come true. I'd like to dedicate this gold medal to the memory of Matthew Shepard. Let us never forget."

Morgan is already preparing for a busy 2006, during which he will be defending all three of his current titles. On May 6th, he will compete in the British Drug Free Championship in Grangemouth, Scotland. The Gay Games competition will be held July 16 in Chicago, and next year's world championships will be in Cork, Ireland, Nov. 12.

Related:

Read Morgan's account of coming back for the world championships

Read Morgan account, "Making it in a man's world"

Morgan's website

Dec. 15, 2005