Lifting gold

During the 2004 Special Olympics Alaska Summer Games, Matt Jaekel lifted hundreds of pounds in a group of events. After the awards ceremony, Jaekel simply had to lift his four gold medals.

Jaekel, a Big Lake Special Olympian, won gold medals in the bench press, squat, deadlift and combination events.

The 25-year-old powerlifter scored lifts of 259 pounds in the bench press, 347 pounds in the squat and 369 pounds in the deadlift.

Jaekel began his powerlifting career more than 10 years ago, and since has trained at least three times per week to help meet his goals. Last year Jaekel took his talents to the international level, winning a bronze medal in the 181-pound division of the World Special Olympics Summer Games.

The Special Olympics Alaska Summer Games featured more that 500 participants from across the state and more than 70 from the Mat-Su area. Local athletes competed in events ranging from weightlifting to aquatic sports and team events such as basketball.