THE NWABA BULLITON
September, 2008
Athletes Return from USABA”s National Sports Festival
We are pleased to announce that a group of blind and
visually impaired athletes has returned from the United States Association of
Blind Athletes 2008 Mission Vision Sports Festival in
The group consisted of Sarah Bair (
Once the Sports Festival concluded, and then came the
State Games of the West. The group competed in Powerlifting. This was
everyone’s first USA Powerlifting meet, and they all did fantastic
Results:
Sarah Bair –
Squat 99.0lbs
Bench Press 60.5lbs
Deadlift 104.5lbs
Total 264.0lbs
Billy Henry –
Squat 214.0lbs
Bench Press 187.2lbs
Deadlift 341.5lbs
Total 742.7lbs
Rachel Talley – Squat 93.5lbs
Bench Press 77.0lbs
Deadlift 170.7lbs
Total 341.3lbs
Thank you to all the Sponsors for their monetary
donations, USABA Coaches for their expertise, and all those who support Blind
and Visually Impaired sports.
We have survived another two months. Where It has been
steady and successful. Our athletes have done well in their respective
competitions including the USABA Mission Vision Sports Festival which took
place in July. Our athletes were given the opportunity to train in various
sports, and then compete with sighted athletes at the State Games of the West.
Our next competition was in August, the WABDL Regional Championships turned out
to be a success! Our powerlifters broke several records, and took second place
as a team.
There is another issue that I must bring forward. Over
the last few months, we have not been able to operate at full capacity because
of our financial position. I would like to ask for your assistance to help us
provide sporting opportunities to the blind and visually impaired. Through your
support we can “Enrich the lives of the blind through athletics.” Thank you for
your past and future support of our athletes.
In the upcoming months, we have many events coming up. In October, we
have the 6th Annual Conference for Blind Youth, In November, we have the 2008
WABDL World Championships in
Once again, Thank you for supporting us in our mission to
provide athletic opportunities to persons with a visual impairment.
Yours in Sports,
Nicholas Wilks, President
The Northwest Association for Blind Athletes is proud to announce that four
athletes from our Regional Powerlifting Team have returned from the 2008 WABDL
IronGladitors Record Breakers Bench Press and Deadlift Championships held in
Olympia, Washington.
The Team of Billy Henry (Vancouver, Washington), Bethuel Karanja (Tacoma,
Washington, Rachel Talley (Lynwood, Washington) & Nicholas Wilks (Puyallup,
Washington) all placed very well taking all 1st places individually,
and 2nd place in the team division .
‘At this competition there were over 130 competitors, The
athletes resisted nerves and were able to succeed on the platform” said Head
Coach Billy Henry “This was our final regional competition of the Year, We hope
to attend the 2008 WABDL World Championships this November in Las Vegas,
Nevada.”
NWABA Partners to sponsor conference
for Blind Youth
On October 23-25, 2008 The Northwest Association for
Blind Athletes along with the Washington State Department of Services for the
Blind will host the 6th Annual Conference for Blind Youth in conjunction with
the Washington Council for the Blind's Conference in
The Conference will focus on Sports and Recreation.
Students will have the opportunity to learn about the various adaptations of
sports for the blind and visually Impaired. We encourage every blind student in High School to take
part in this exciting opportunity!
If you are interested in attending should contact
Regional Programs Director Billy Henry at 1-800-880-9837 extension 4. or
Billy@nwaba.org
For More Information Visit
Our Web-Site
WWW.NWABA.ORG
What
Powerlifting has done for Me by Rachel Talley
Powerlifting has given me the means to compete on the
same playing field as people with normal sight. Powerlifting with the Northwest
Association for Blind Athletes (NWABA) has opened many doors for me to compete
in different parts of
If It wasn’t for NWABA, I wouldn’t have been able to
experience as many of the opportunities I have today. I have been Powerlifting
with NWABA since we started in May of 2007. I cant imagine where I would be
without Powerlifting. I encourage all of you to take part in these sport! It
has certainly made a difference in my life.
·
NW Bake
Sale to support our Powerlifting Team—
·
2008
Conference for Blind Youth -
·
WABDL
World Championships -
·
Benefit
Concert—
·
Northwest
Judo Clinic for the Blind—
·
WABDL
Regionals—
·
USAPL WA
State Championships—
·
Goalball
Introduction Clinic—
·
NW Bake
Sale to support our Powerlifting Team —
·
MSDB Games
for the Visually Impaired--Great Falls,
·
“Enriching
the lives of the blind" Benefit Dinner -
·
IBSA World
Youth Championships—