There are times his dad Len Moores doesn’t know how Daniel does it.
“I’d be nervous as hell,” Moores said.
The conversation is on how Daniel has learned to love the competition of Special Olympics over the years, particularly in powerlifting.
“He’s a bit of a hot dog, you don't think it,” Moores said with a laugh. “He’s up on the stage and he likes facing people … he comes out with a big smile on his face to do his lift.
“He thinks that’s the best thing in the world.”
This past Friday, Daniel was named provincial Special Olympics Male Athlete of the Year at a banquet in St. John’s. It’s his third time winning the award, also claiming the prize in 2007 and 2013.
He found out his “hat trick” was complete over the summer, but with the 2018 Special Olympics Canada Summer Games on the horizon, the banquet wasn’t held until the fall.
Moores said his son was pleased and happy to win, and as for himself, he’s just excited and proud.
The key to Daniel’s success lies in his love of practicing, Moores said.
“He’s a pretty committed athlete,” he said. “He enjoys sports and enjoys practice, which really helps him, especially in powerlifting.”
Daniel also competes in bowling, athletics, and cross-country skiing, but powerlifting has become his bread and butter.
“I think it’s evolved to become his favourite event,” said Moores. “He practises five days a week and he hates missing practice.”
During the past year, Daniel has achieved or matched nine personal bests in powerlifting, as well as five personal bests in track and field.
During the Summer Games in Antigonish, N.S., his sixth national competition, he earned two gold and two silver medals in powerlifting, which remarkably didn’t even count towards his winning of the Male Athlete of the year Award, since that was based on his 2017 achievements.
In the nomination form submitted for Daniel, it was written that his personal development through sport has been even more important than his accomplishments, as his self-confidence, independence and commitment to achieve and be a role model has jumped leaps and bounds.
And it’s all right there, evidenced by that smile on his face.
