Weight training is a natural means of exercise for the blind, as it requires little
start-up expenses and can be achieved at home or in a gymnasium. For the competitive athlete who is looking for an activity that he or she can perform with
able-bodied individuals, Powerlifting is one of the few sports where a blind person
can compete on an equal basis.
Powerlifting competitions for the blind began in the early 1980īs in Australia, Canada, Great Britain and the USA. Competitions in these countries were held with National results and records exchanged between the four participating countries.
On April 16th, 1988, the first World Cup of Powerlifting was staged in Ottawa, Canada. Forty one lifters participated in this meet with men's and women's open,
and masters category competitions taking place under International Powerlifting Federations (I.P.F.) rules.
On April 6-7 1990, the second World Cup of Powerlifting was held in Riverside, California, USA. This competition was hosted by the United States Association of
Blind Athletes (U.S.A.B.A.). The third World Championship was staged in Perth, Australia on April 11-12, 1992. In the following four years the World
Championships were held as follows: 1993 Ottawa, Canada; 1994 Marbella, Spain; 1995 Colorado Springs, USA and in 1996 Edmonton, Canada.
In the sport of Powerlifting three attempts in the squat, the bench-press and the dead lift are granted to each competitor. The highest successful weight lifted from the squat, the bench-press and the dead lift are added together for the total weight lifted. There are 11 different weight classes for women. Age classes include men's open 14 to 39 years old. Women open 14 to 39 years old. Master's division 40 to 49 years old; 50 years old and over for both male and female.
Rules: No consideration is given to sight classification; that is to say -B1, B2, B3, blind athletes all compete against each other. All rules are the same as the International Powerlifting Federation. To date all our records have been drug tested and referred by International carded I.P.F. officials.
A coaching manual has been developed and printed in English for blind lifters and is available upon request at the address shown below.
More information is available upon request at the address shown below.
info@blindsports.on.ca
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