It’s been 22 years since Jonathan Powles made his debut at the Australian Masters Games (AMG) in Canberra as a rugby union player. Now he returns for his second appearance, this time as a powerlifter, with strength, purpose, and a renewed relationship with his body.

In 2003, Jonathan laced up for the ACT Veterans Masters Rugby Union team at the AMG in Canberra.

His return to the Games in 2025 marks more than just a second appearance in the same city; it also represents a personal transformation.

This year, which is only Jonathan’s second entry into the AMG, carries a whole new weight, and not just the ones on the barbell. What once was about the competition is now a celebration of lifelong health.

In 2010, Jonathan sustained a rugby career-ending injury, fracturing his ankle in three places.

“I thought it was all over after I broke my ankle,” Jonathan reflected. “I ended up in hospital for 10 days and had two operations. I lost a lot of function in my ankle and just stopped doing sport altogether. I put on a lot of weight and became quite unfit.”

For years, Jonathan was stuck in that cycle. No training. No routine. No goals. Then in 2024, everything changed.

“I was diagnosed with prostate cancer, and the surgeon told me I needed to lose 25 kilos before they would even consider surgery. It was a wake-up call. A matter of life or death,” Jonathan admitted.

That’s when Jonathan discovered powerlifting.

“A mate introduced me to it, and it gave me something to focus on. The weight categories meant I had clear targets. I hit the gym, managed my diet, lost the weight and three months after abdominal surgery, I lifted 200 kilos,” Jonathan said.

Now cancer-free, what began as a strategy to survive has become a way to thrive.

“Now I go to the gym five days a week. I feel better in my head because of this new relationship I have with my body, and it is not just about the numbers, it’s about proving to myself that I have overcome some serious health challenges.”

“The powerlifting community is full of really lovely people,” Johnathan added. “There is a huge mix of backgrounds, and everyone supports each other.”

These days, Jonathan trains under coach Sam Butterworth, who keeps him grounded.

“My coach always says, ‘Jon, you have got to be patient,’ which is hard for an old front-rower to hear. I am used to going 110% all the time. But I’m learning that 80% is sometimes better.”

Jonathan made his powerlifting debut in 2024 at 118kg. This year, he’s set his sights on competing at 93kg at the Australian Masters Games here in Canberra next month.

Jonathan’s story is one of comebacks and transformation, not just physical but psychological too.

“It’s a mental challenge learning to be sensible and controlled. Not being active for 15 years had a really big impact on me. But now, competing again means I am setting personal targets, achieving them, and proving to myself that I can keep improving,” Jonathan said.

“There is no talking your way through a lift. You either lift the weight, or you don’t. I love that honesty. And for the first time in my life, I am focusing on me,” Jonathan added.

Jonathan’s advice to the 2003 version of himself?

“The next 22 years will go much faster than you think. Do not wait for tomorrow or next week. Do not put it off. The next month and then the next decade will go in the blink of an eye.” Back then, rugby gave him a sense of purpose and belonging. Now, powerlifting is doing the same with