PATTERSON Richard < Back  
Sport Weightlifting
CGA New Zealand   
Gender Men
Born 30 Apr 1983 in Auckland, NZL
Height1.67 m
Weight 85 kg
Human Interest
Further Personal Information
Higher education Coaching, Sport Management - Unitec Institute of Technology: Auckland, NZL
General Interest
Hobbies Coaching. (functionalstrength.co.nz, 2013)
Sport Specific Information
Name of coach Adam Storey [national]
When and where did you begin this sport? He began weightlifting at age 15 at Auckland Grammar School in New Zealand in order to increase his speed for rugby and athletics. He then began lifting for his school team.
International Debut
Year 2003
Competing for New Zealand
Tournament Oceania Championships
Location Nukualofa, TGA
Further Personal Information
Occupation Athlete, Business Owner, Coach
General Interest
Other information LANDMARK APPEARANCE
He will become the second weightlifter from New Zealand to have competed at three Olympic Games at the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro. The feat was originally achieved by Don Oliver, who represented New Zealand at the 1960, 1964 and 1968 Games. (olympic.org.nz, 30 Jun 2016; sports-reference.com, 2012)

BUSINESS OWNER
He owns Functional Strength CrossFit, which is a strength and conditioning facility in Auckland, New Zealand. (YouTube, 17 Jul 2016)
Injuries In 2003 he suffered a dislocated elbow and a muscle tear. (Athlete, 01 Aug 2012)
Sport Specific Information
Why this sport? He was encouraged to take up the sport because he was strong and explosive.
General Interest
Most influential person in career New Zealand weightlifter Nigel Avery. (Athlete, 01 Aug 2012)
Further Personal Information
Languages English
General Interest
Nicknames Richie, Rich, Ricardo, Dickpat (nzherald.co.nz, 12 Jun 2014; functionalstrength.co.nz, 2013)
Superstitions / Rituals / Beliefs He repeats a certain phrase ["Legs, elbows, elbows, back, hips in, upright"] when he steps on to the platform to lift. (functionalstrength.co.nz, 2013)
Famous relatives His wife Phillipa Hale has represented New Zealand in weightlifting. She won gold in the 53kg category at the 2016 Oceania Championships in Suva, Fiji. (SportsDeskOnline, 30 Jul 2016; fijitimes.com, 28 May 2016)
Sporting philosophy / motto "Courage isn't having the strength to go on. It's going on when you don't have the strength." (functionalstrength.co.nz, 2013)
Further Personal Information
Family Wife Phillipa, son Cooper [2015]