The purpose of IBSA Powerlifting is to further develop & promote the sport of powerlifting for the blind & visually impaired athletes.

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10th Annual IBSA World Bench Press and Powerlifting Championships For Blind and Visually Impaired Athletes
Hyatt Regency Hotel – Orlando International Airport

Dear Friends of IBSA and IPC Powerlifting:

On behalf of the International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) and the United States Association of Blind Athletes (USABA), I am proud to announce the 10th IBSA World Bench Press and Powerlifting Championships for Blind and Visually Impaired Athletes will be held at the Hyatt - Regency Hotel in Orlando, Florida, USA, on July 1 - 7, 2012.

I would kindly request that if you have any blind/visually impaired powerlifters in your federation that would like to attend this championship, please provide them with the contest information. The competition will adhere to IPF Technical Rules as well as WADA Anti-doping guidelines.

All information pertaining to the championship can be found on the following forms and websites:

Official Invitation (*.pdf)
Official Invitation (*.doc)

Official Invitation Letter (*.pdf)
Official Invitation Letter (*.doc)

Orlando Airport Guide (*.pdf)

Hyatt Regency Hotel – Orlando International Airport

Important, please take note of the deadline dates for nominating athletes for this championship. The dates are:

Preliminary Nomination - May 01, 2012
Final Nomination - June 01, 2012

Those requiring visas to travel to the United States should apply promptly, by sending the Visa Support Document to me as soon as possible. If there are any questions regarding the championship, please contact me directly at: rhk@verizon.net (or) +954.790.2249.

I look forward to seeing you in Orlando and thank you very much for your support!

Robert H. Keller
Secretary General
IBSA Powerlifting
Post Office Box 291571 * Davie, Florida 33329 * USA
Tel: +954.790.2249
Fax: +954.301.3344
Email: rhk@verizon.net
Web: www.ibsapowerlifting.com (or) www.ibsa.es/eng

IBSA Powerlifting Message

Athletes require power. Power and strength provides confidence and self –reliance, a perfect fit for IBSA athletes. It takes a novel to write about these amazing athletes and unique experiences they bring with them. Dr. Fred Hatfield, arguably greatest squatter of all time, stated it is “IMPOSSIBLE” for me to squat such weight with no visual clues.” Harvey Kurland, one of America’s leading sports physiologists noted “deadlifting and squatting such heavy iron without the cues that provide our balance is incredibly difficult”.

Meeting and knowing these athletes is the most special experience. IBSA Powerlifting athletes come from every continent. They provide us the most memorable sport’s encounters. The great reigning championship team from Iran brought unmatched warmth and friendship. The interaction with Iran’s team and America’s brother athletes was remarkable and memorable. (Sadly not reported by USA’s press). Iran’s team, coaches and the support of USA’s Iranian citizens for the IBSA athletes was a moment never to forget. It was said “Perhaps it is the blind that can teach us all to see”. IBSA Powerlifting produces many such special experiences. Sonny, a small, American girl took my arm and said “you are going the wrong way? “The hotel elevator is on the other side of the lobby”. Sonny was right. She explained that she had been there before. I had been there too and I can see!!” These experiences are special and the list is long.

Words will not explain amazing encounters with these wonderful people. Come and be a part of this special group! Witness IBSA Men and Women’s Powerlifting and Bench Press WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS. These IBSA people and this one special event is the sport’s event you will remember.

Peter Thorne
Vice Chairman
IBSA Powerlifting

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