Fifty-four athletes from eight Special Olympics teams across Georgia and Northeast Florida participated in an all-day powerlifting tournament Saturday at the Atlantic Recreation Center in Fernandina Beach.
Nine athletes and three coaches from Nassau County hosted the inaugural Exceptional Abilities Powerlifting Competition.
The competition was sponsored by the Foundation of Strength, a nonprofit organization committed to “changing lives, one athlete at a time.”
The athletes competed in three core lifts — squat, bench press and deadlift — and many recorded personal bests. The Nassau County team, which practices at the rec center twice a week, took third place in overall scoring and was awarded a bronze weight to hang on the gym wall.
Local lifter Luis Martinez-Brown earned the second best “pound for pound” award of all athletes participating that day. First place went to Adrian McGhee from Georgia.
The coaches believe in building strong minds, bodies and spirits and work closely with each individual to meet the athlete’s needs while simultaneously encouraging him to pursue individual goals.
More than 200 people attended the all-day event. Local volunteers included families, friends and members of the Yulee High School football team.
Lunch was donated by Jersey Mikes, and the lunchtime motivational speaker was Paul Lore.
The nine athletes from Nassau County Special Olympics lifting in the event included Tommy Caperton, Joseph Coles, Michael Dugan, Anthony Duncan, Jake Martin, Diego Martinez-Brown, Luis Martinez-Brown, Andrew Strickland and Vincent Wolski.
Nassau County coaches include Paul Sciandra, Lisa Sciandra and Jack Martin.