Tiago Hallen lifts his way onto the international stage

We are proud to share that Tiago Hallen, our 2024 College Captain, has been selected to represent Australia at the upcoming Oceania Weightlifting Championships — a major milestone on the pathway to the Commonwealth and Olympic Games.

Tiago joined St John Paul II College in Year 11, and with that came a bold decision to change his direction — both personally and athletically. Having played soccer for most of his life, he made the shift to weightlifting just as he began at JPC.

“Becoming a weightlifter was part of a bigger change in who I wanted to become. JPC really helped me adapt and grow through that change. The community — my friends, teachers, and mentors — helped shape who I am, and that shows in who I am as an athlete.”

Throughout his time at JPC, Tiago balanced his sporting goals with the demands of leadership, academic achievement, and service to the College community.

“It definitely was not easy — being College Captain, managing university preparation, and trying to excel in my sport — but it taught me how to prioritise and manage my time. Sometimes weightlifting had to take a step back for events like Feast Day, and other times I needed to focus entirely on a major competition. It was about learning how to sacrifice for the greater good.”

Tiago’s selection for the Oceania Championships followed his gold-medal performance at the ACT State Championships, where he not only won the event but recorded the highest Sinclair total in ACT history — marking him as the top pound-for-pound lifter in the Territory.

“It was one of the best moments of my life. Being chosen to represent Australia — in a sport I love, after so much hard work — it is just incredible.”

He now trains around eight hours a week while juggling university and work, with Saturdays marking his longest and most intense sessions.

“There are more hard days than easy ones. But I have learnt to push through, stay consistent, and remember that the bad days build the good ones. You cannot hit personal bests all the time. You build the foundation day by day.”

Looking ahead, Tiago has his sights firmly set on qualifying for the World Championships, Commonwealth Games, and ultimately the Olympic Games in either Los Angeles 2028 or Brisbane 2032.

“I do not want to be a one-hit wonder. I want to stay consistent, keep qualifying, and hopefully one day help coach and support others chasing their dreams too.”

Tiago also shared some heartfelt advice for current students:

“You need to be willing to make sacrifices for success. Talent will only get you so far. Discipline, consistency, and the ability to work hard — especially when it is hard — are what truly matter.”

And his go-to gym song?

“Party in the USA by Miley Cyrus — it just keeps me happy in the gym!”

At JPC, we are incredibly proud of Tiago — not just for his achievements, but for the values he continues to live out: resilience, humility, discipline, and leadership.