Logan University – the high-performance management organization for Paralympic Powerlifting in the United States – is thrilled to be hosting on-campus events for USA Para Powerlifting in January 2020.
Para powerlifting athletes will assemble in Logan’s Wellness Center on January 18 for the 2020 Regional Qualifier for the Colombia 2020 Road to Tokyo Para Powerlifting World Cup. This event is free and open to the public.
Additional events for officials, athletes and coaches only will include a technical official course and a summit for coaches and athletes, where they will learn about athlete nutrition, biometric analysis, soft tissue and recovery from Logan University faculty and staff.
Participating in the events will be those new to para powerlifting and those vying for spots on the USA Para Powerlifting Team, as well as existing team athletes and para powerlifting standouts, including:
Christian Largo, who finished first in his weight class and hit a personal record of 140kg, which earned him a gold medal at the 2019 Tokyo Test Event.
Ahmed Shafik, who earned a silver medal in the combined 88kg and 97kg men’s weight class during the 2019 Parapan American Games in Lima, Peru.
Missouri native Jonathan Coots, who scored a bronze medal in the up to 54kg men’s junior division weight category at the 2019 World Paralympic Powerlifting Championships in Kazakhstan.
Also competing is Jake Schrom, who achieved an international personal record of 202kg and increased his international ranking by three spots with his finish; Antonio Martin, who finished 4th overall 2019 World Paralympic Powerlifting Championships in Kazakhstan; and Ashley Dyce, who finished in the top 20 at the 2019 World Paralympic Powerlifting Championships.
Executive Director of Paralympic Operations Kelley Humphries, DC, MS, EMT-P, CSCS, ICCSP, CCSP, who oversees the daily operations of the team and sport along with High Performance Manager Mary Hodge, said she is thrilled to be gathering elite Para Powerlifters, ahead of the 2020 Games.
“Not only will there be athletes here trying to make the team, but we’ve also invited our friends from the Canadian Para Powerlifting Team who will also be attending and competing,” she said. “As we look to grow our presence, it is events like these that help strengthen the support we need to be one of the premiere Paralympic sports in the country.”
Approximately 20 volunteers are needed to assist with athlete spotting and loading, general event set-up and breakdown, and helping event officials. All volunteers will receive lunch and a t-shirt. Any interested Logan student, faculty of staff should email Dr. Humphries at kelley.humphries@logan.edu by December 31, 2019. Please include t-shirt size in your email.
To learn more about USA Para Powerlifting, visit Logan.edu/USAPP.