Luigi Carmine (Gino) Fratangelo

Even as a junior competitor, Gino showed astute judges of weightlifting that he had exceptional talent for this physically demanding sport. This judgement was vindicated when he was first selected to represent Australia in 1978 at the World Junior Championships in Greece and finished with an 11th placing. Selected as a senior in 1979 for the Oceania championships in New Zealand, he won the first of his three gold medals at those titles. He won again in 1981 and 1987 in Melbourne and Canberra.

That early international success in New Zealand led to Gino being selected in the Australian team for the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games where he finished 11th in his class. He was twice selected for the Commonwealth Games - Brisbane 1982 with a 4th place and 1986 in Edinburgh where he won a silver medal.

At three Commonwealth championships in Wales, Western Samoa and Canberra he won one gold and two silver medals - a remarkably consistent performer. He also represented Australia at two World Championships with great distinction. During the course of his career, this genial powerhouse was Australian senior champion from 1979 to 1987, set two Commonwealth records, six Australian records, seven Oceania records and all Tasmanian Open records for his body weight.

His record is unsurpassed by any other Tasmanian weightlifter and two of his national records still stand- a memorable achiever who also served as an excellent role model for all young Tasmanians.