And it begins....
Saturday, October 13- It's 6:00 am and the athletes are already beginning to stir. Excitement has been at such a pitch over the past few days that it is doubtful that much sleep was enjoyed by the team in anticipation of today's events. Equipment is now being checked and double checked as the coaches begin the intensive process of feeding the five young powerlifters. It may be dark outside now, but the light from the eyes and smiles of these young men has lit up the whole neighborhood.
The competition today is expected to be fierce but not nearly as great as the potential that these young men will walk away with medals in their individual events. Of the three major powerlifting events, T.J. Rafael and Peter will be participating in the "triple-crown":
Squat (where from a standing position the athlete carries a weight on their shoulders, bends their knees to squat on the ground and then brings himself back to a standing position)
Bench Press (the athlete, lying prone on a bench, must bring a weight located on his extended arms down to his chest and then extend his arms again fully)
Dead lift (the athlete, standing directly over a weight, must bend down to grasp the weight and then fully stand until his knees lock before returning the weight to the ground).
Lee will participate in the dead lift and Bench Press events while Daryl will concentrate on the Bench Press after a sore back caused his withdrawal from the Dead Lift.
Several hundred athletes will be competing today in the "Milk Building" of the Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex, each will have their own story of hard work, determination and sacrifice to make it to the World Championships, but it is doubtful that many of these stories can compare to the hardwork and dedication undertaken by Team Zuni to make it to this event.
