Para Weightlifting gets some para-traction in New Zealand
La para-haltérophilie obtient de la para-traction en Nouvelle-Zélande
EN
FR
Canadian Masters member Paule Poulin shares our enthusiasm of including adaptive athletes as para weightlifters. In New Zealand, Paule aims to support other like-minded individuals who are working towards the inclusion of adaptive athletes into the weightlifting community. As a member of the CMWFHCM Para Weightlifting Advisory Group, she is well briefed on the Federation’s Para Weightlifting policies and regulations. The Canadian Masters Weightlifting Federation welcomes Weightlifting New Zealand aboard this journey of inclusion and looks forward to sharing our successes and challenges along the way.
Here is an article from Paule Poulin:
Adaptive Weightlifting is taking off in New Zealand, get involved!
The first Adaptive Weightlifting event in New Zealand was held at Mount Crossfit on Saturday 3 September 2022. Under the format of Give it a go, and coached by Weightlifting NZ adaptive weightlifting lead Diogo Freire, it was a promising start. Four athletes came and were shown and tried some basic lifts, adapted to their particular situation. Adaptations are individualised can be made for different situations such as athletes in a wheelchair, athletes with limited range of motion, athletes with visual impairments, etc. Functional Adaptive Movement (FAM) are also a big supporter and are working with WNZ to develop the sport for adaptive athletes.
The future plan for WNZ is to have a showcase adaptive weightlifting event at the 2022 Junior and Senior Nationals in Tauranga. Diogo is also working on developing links with other organisations such as Adaptive Training Academy, Crossroads Alliance, and linking up with the Canadian and Australian federations to share best practices.
Adaptive weightlifting is starting to take off in other countries as well, including the USA and Canada, so more to come for sure. The IWF World Masters Championships to be held in Orlando Florida in December 2022 will include adaptive weightlifters.
So, if you know of an adaptive athlete looking for a challenge, talk to them about our beautiful sport. If any club or athletes are interested, they can get in touch with Diogo at diogo@functionaladapotivemoevment.com