Disabled Committee Report – 2015 – Submitted by Chip Hultquist

Special Olympics, USAPL and the IPF have worked to strengthen their partnership over the past year through participating in each other’s events. This has had the result of mutual benefit and a very positive message about the sport of powerlifting. The following are examples of this successful partnership:

USAPL assisted Special Olympics with several powerlifting events in 2015 including:  Special Olympics Southeastern Powerlifting Championships in ,  Special Olympics Florida State Powerlifting Competition in Orlando, Florida  Planning for Special Olympics World Games in , California this summer (assisted with identification of USAPL/IPF officials and equipment) Special Olympics athletes and coaches participated in USAPL and IPF events in 2015 including:  IPF Masters Worlds in Pilzen, Czech Republic  IPF Open Worlds in Denver, Colorado  IPF Coaches Course in LaManga, Spain  Alabama State Competition in Mobile, Alabama  Tennessee State Competition in Maryville, Tennessee Special Olympics would especially like to thank the following for their assistance and support in 2015:  Gaston Parage  Dr. Robert Keller  Dr. Larry Maile  Dr. Billy Jack Talton  Lucian Gillis  Billy Keel  Claire Keel

Thank you. Chip Hultquist, Chairman, USAPL Disabled Committee

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Blind Sports Powerlifting

2014 IBSA World Powerlifting Championships for Blind and Visually Impaired Athletes 1. This past year, Arian Khamesi and I took part in the IBSA World Powerlifting Championships for Blind and Visually Impaired Athletes held in Antalya, . Arian distinguished himself as the Scoring Manager for the championship. 2. The partnership between the IPF and the IBSA Powerlifting Committee is growing and an agreement will be signed next year as part of the very successful partnership which has taken place over the past 6-7 years.

2015 IBSA World Games Powerlifting Championships 1. Nicholas Loiacano, a Freshman at Florida Gulf Coast University, and I will attending the World Games for all Blind Sports in , the week of May 11 – 17, 2013. Nicholas has been designated to the platform manager for the powerlifting championship following in the footsteps of his brother, Andrew, the platform chief at the IWGA World Games in Cali, Colombia. 2. USA Powerlifting Member Charles King, from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania will participate in the Seoul World Games. Charles shall be the oldest athlete, not only in the Powerlifting competition but for all athletes taking part the World Games. A testament to his desire to participate in something quite special. He will be coached by powerlifting veteran Joe Braca.

Thank you. Robert Keller, Member, USAPL Disabled Committee