Powerlifting

Powerlifting is an excellent sport for blind and visually impaired athletes looking to compete against able-bodied individuals as the adaptations are minimal for the sport. Also, athletes can begin training at any local gym or even at home with the proper equipment. Unlike weightlifting, powerlifting involves three separate lifts: bench press, dead lift and squat.

In competitions against other blind and visually impaired powerlifters, sanctioned by USABA or the International Blind Sports Association, there are as many as 95 total categories allowing for participation by athletes of a variety of ages and sizes as follows:

Men
Age Categories
• Senior: From 14 years upwards (no category restrictions need apply).
• Junior: From 14 years to and including 23 years of age.
• Master 1: From 40 years to and including 49 years of age.
• Master 2: From 50 years to and including 59 years of age.
• Master 3: From 60 years and upwards.

Bodyweight Categories
• 52kg
• 56kg
• 60kg
• 67.5kg
• 75.0kg
• 82.5kg
• 90kg
• 100kg
• 110kg
• 125kg
• 125+kg

Women
Age Categories
• Senior: From 14 years upwards (no category restrictions need apply).
• Junior: From 14 years to and including 23 years of age.
• Master 1: From 40 years to and including 49 years of age.
• Master 2: From 50 years and upwards.

Bodyweight Categories
• 44kg
• 48kg
• 52kg
• 56kg
• 60kg
• 67.5kg
• 75.0kg
• 82.5kg
• 90kg
• 90+kg

Adaptations
Adaptations for the blind are minimal for the sport of powerlifting. Allowances are made for the lifter's coach to mount the platform with the lifter and help position him in relationship to the bar, including the positioning of hands and feet as well as bar placement. For the actual lift, the coach must leave the platform & return to the coach's designated area. For the referee commands, the visual hand commands are augmented with audible commands.

Coaching of blind and visually impaired powerlifters is similar to that of sighted athletes; however, when demonstrating a lift or correcting an athlete's technique, the coach should make sure to either show the athlete the technique at close range or use a hands-on approach in which the coach performs the lift and the athlete feels the proper placement as the coach describes the motions he is using.

Powerlifting Resources on the Web
• The International Powerlifting Federation

The United States Association of Blind Athletes, a member organization of the U.S. Olympic Committee, is a non-profit organization that provides training for blind and visually impaired athletes for competition in nine sports. USABA members range from blind children developing sports skills to elite athletes who train for competitions such as the Paralympic Games, which continually draws more than 4,000 disabled athletes.