Powerhouse David Nicholson brings home three gold medals from the Special Olympics

Calgary brought home the gold after six Special Olympians won big at the world games that took place from June 17 to 25. The athletes returned home last week after spending just over two weeks in Germany.

David Nicholson, who competed in powerlifting, won three gold and one silver at the competition.

Nicholson squatted 424 pounds, bench pressed 231 pounds and deadlifted 446 pounds.

Nicholson says those aren’t even his personal bests. Each lift was about 20 pounds off from his best.

“I was really excited,” he says. “I’m happy to win gold and one silver.”

A fierce competitor

Special Olympics Canada says Nicholson had one of the heaviest opening lifts seen at a World Games.

Head powerlifting coach Jeff Butt says the organizers had to ask if he had submitted the weight of the lift attempts correctly.

Nicholson competed against lifters from around the world, meeting many new people.

“We became friends at the competition, it was pretty cool,” he says.

The closest friend he made was the lifter from Team USA, Mitchell Betsworth.

Betsworth gave Nicholson a run for his money as he ended the competition with three silver and one gold.

Nicholson thoroughly enjoyed his time in Berlin as his mother, Barb Nicholson, noted that his smile rarely left his face.

“Wherever David went, he spread a lot of joy… He would say every day, ‘I’m so, so happy,’” Barb shares.

Triumphant return

Upon returning home to Calgary, Nicholson was greeted by very proud family and friends.

“My nieces and nephew came over to my house to [ask me] to go speak at the school about my powerlifting and how I did,” he says.

Although he wasn’t even home 24 hours, Nicholson went to St. Philip School to share his journey.

He was greeted with a massive banner of congratulations and then attended the school’s final assembly.

His nieces and nephew introduced him to the school, and Nicholson answered many questions from the crowd.

He shared his powerlifting journey with the students and spoke about his time in Berlin.

Breakfast with the mayor

The celebrations for Nicholson didn’t stop there. Mayor Jyoti Gondek invited all the Calgary Special Olympics athletes who competed in Berlin to a breakfast on Tuesday, July 4.

“We had breakfast sandwiches, snacks, coffee, and juice,” Nicholson says. “It was pretty good.”

Gondek and the city council also declared July 4, 2023 Special Olympics Salute Day. 

Nicholson was given a certificate with a gold seal from the city along with recognition of his lifts and the medals he won.

Back at it

Nicholson is taking no time to rest after his trip as he’s already back in the gym with his trainer, Curtis Howden, who he’s worked with for years.

Nicholson normally trains three times a week, however, before the games he upped it to four times a week.

Now he hopes to return to the next games and bring back some more gold.

The other Calgary athletes who won at the games are as follows:

· Jennifer Riddell, athletics: bronze

· William Shepperd, men’s basketball: gold

· Kyle Vogelgesang, bocce: silver

· Michaela Wasyliw, women’s basketball: bronze

· Abby Wilson, swimming: one gold and one silver

Overall, Canada’s medal count was 46 gold, 20 silver, and 30 bronze.