After sweeping state championships and pulling a plane, Gabriel Homes’ powerlifters are training for the 2025 season.
Returning to Special Olympics powerlifting practice, residents are excited to push their limits and reach new weight benchmarks.
Practice Makes Perfect
Athletes train every week at IMP Fitness in Fairfax. Coaches like Bill Whiteside, Tim Figueroa, and Xandra Varisco, have worked with Gabriel Homes powerlifters for years. Each coach knows the athletes’ limits well and knows when they have opportunities to challenge them.
“This season, I’m teaching the powerlifters more about having proper techniques and controlling their weights,” says Coach Bill. “Athletes have to listen to the commands and have control of their bodies simultaneously. When they’re holding heavy weights, balancing technique and control can be difficult.”
Taking Feedback to Heart
One resident, Joe, is taking cues from Coaches Bill and Tim on his form. After sweeping first prize in bench press, deadlifts, and combinations, he’s working on increasing his weights and squatting lower when he holds them.
Congratulations, Sean!
Another resident, Sean, reaches a personal milestone this season. 2024-25 marks his 25th year doing Special Olympics powerlifting. Sean says his favorite part of powerlifting is doing the bench presses because he feels strong when he does them.
“Special Olympics is a huge part of my life,” says Sean. “The coaches are tough but nice people. I get better at powerlifting every year thanks to their help.”
The Powerlifting Team Grows
One rookie coach, Coach Sam Templitz (top), is a fresh face at powerlifting trainings for the residents. He describes himself as a motivator to the athletes by making them feel confident and cheering them on when they reach personal records.
“I’m most excited to see the joy on the athletes’ faces,” Coach Sam says. “Everyone gets energized during practice and events, so they make me feel the same way when I support them.”
More Powerlifting Teams, More Competition Than Ever
Many local Special Olympics teams folded during the pandemic in 2020. Now that competitions are back in full force, Special Olympics powerlifting teams are popping up across Northern Virginia. As a result, powerlifters have more opportunities to compete locally than before. The first competition ahead is against a team in Prince William County.
“I care most about the fact that the powerlifters can compete again,” says Coach Bill. “Our athletes are excited and ready for all the challenges ahead of them.”