University of East London’s Ali Jawad won another para-powerlifting medal for England at the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast.

Newham Recorder: England's Bianca Williams in action in the heats of the women's 200m at the Carrara Stadium during day six of the 2018 Commonwealth Games in the Gold Coast, Australia (pic Martin Rickett/PA)England's Bianca Williams in action in the heats of the women's 200m at the Carrara Stadium during day six of the 2018 Commonwealth Games in the Gold Coast, Australia (pic Martin Rickett/PA) (Image: PA Wire/PA Images)

Jawad, 29, had finished third in Glasgow four years ago, but suffered with Crohn’s disease in the build-up to the current Games.

He put that behind him, though, to match his 2014 result with a best lift of 161kg to give him 182.7 points, calculated using a formula to combine competitor’s body weight to the weight they lift, and claim another bronze.

He said: “My career was pretty much over last year. I have only been training for six weeks, so to perform like that was incredible.

“Just to be here was amazing and I was never meant to make it. This was a bonus and I just had to think of the dark times to inspire me.

“For me this cycle is about Tokyo and pushing for gold there and if I am healthy in the next two years, I’ll be up there.”

Former UEL student Bianca Williams qualified for the next round of the women’s 200m after finishing second in her heat in 23.20 seconds.

And Newham & Essex Beagles Finette Agyapong also progressed after finishing second in her heat in 23.15.