Student flexes more than academic muscles as weightlifting champ

A postgraduate student is ‘bulking up’ to success in more than ways than one after a recent athletic competition win.

Nefi Charalambous-Darden is in the final few months of her PhD but has no problems flexing her academic muscles, as she does the same for her extracurricular physical passion for weightlifting.

Nefi first took up the sport just over decade ago and has gone on to compete at international level. In 2003 she was named Strongest Woman in Kentucky, which is where her husband and coach Clint Darden hails from.

Earlier this month, Nefi competed in the 18th International Women Weightlifting Grand Prix in her home country Cyprus and won gold in her class (Masters).

Of her passion for intense sport, she says: “I’ve always been sporty. When I was younger, I played football, then moved on to Taekwondo before weightlifting.

“The Cyprus contest was good, and I was amazed I won, especially against the Irish team, as they had excellent competitors. I was competing on my own as, sadly, there aren’t that many weightlifters in Cyprus, few female athletes and none in my class for those over 40!

“I train in our living room/gym and try to not drop the bar and break the floor! I train at night, sometimes from 11-12, when the day is winding down, and my children are asleep. It’s easier doing it that way, and exercising keeps me sane…or, to some, perhaps this is insane!”

Nefi’s training only starts after her PhD work is done for the day. Her research is investigating her other passion – special educational needs and inclusion, particularly autism spectrum disorders – that will conclude in the early part of 2024.

She adds: “I’m a former teacher in this area and have worked in this field for more than 20 years. The full title of my PhD is ‘Teachers’ perceptions of inclusive education for children with ASD in Cyprus’. My youngest son has a diagnosis of autism, so my interest with understanding ASD is professional as well as personal and will also mean I bring my PhD learning directly back to schools, where my career started.

“I’m extremely happy with the PhD as it’s been well organised. I study online but have visited Waterside a few times and presented a paper at the University’s research conference. The UON team has been very supportive, lightening the academic load as I train to lift heavier, physical ones.”