Sizing it up
REGION: Manawatu¯ is celebrating its status as a Special Olympics stronghold by sending one of the largest sports teams ever to leave Palmerston North for a national tournament.
"[Whitehead] is the sort of athlete who looks at what he has to do and says 'bring it on'." Marianne Poole, team co-ordinator
Manawatu¯ is celebrating its status as a Special Olympics stronghold by sending one of the largest sports teams ever to leave for a national tournament.
One-hundred-and-forty-seven athletes, coaches and support staff will assemble on Sunday at the Central Energy Trust Arena Barber Hall before heading to Wellington for the week-long Special Olympics National Summer Games.
The numbers make Manawatu¯ the largest team represented at the games.
Among its members are powerlifters Bevan Whitehead and Thomas Humphey-rush, part of a 12-member squad who will be contesting for titles at The Hub in Kilbirnie.
With their trainers Jericho Emana and Paul Gibson, the pair were putting in final training preparations at Palmerston North’s Human Movements gym on Taonui St on Friday.
This will be Whitehead’s third games, which are held every four years. He was first selected for the 2009 tournament in Palmerston North, and went to Dunedin in 2013.
The 27-year-old said training in the three powerlifting disciplines – benchpress, deadlift and squat – was ‘‘punishment for bad behaviour and for love of the sport’’.
During his session, he matched his personal best deadlift of 160 kilograms.
Powerlifting team co-ordinator Marianne Poole said Whitehead was a lifter who performed well when competition adrenaline kicked in.
‘‘He’s the sort of athlete who looks at what he has to do and says ‘bring it on’.’’
This will be the first games for Humphey-rush, 25, who took up the sport two years ago, but has only had a couple of months’ training with Gibson.
‘‘They have developed a good rapport and Thomas has been going really well,’’ Poole said.
The team’s two equestrian competitors will be riding at Manfeild for their events, from Tuesday to Thursday next week, but will travel with the team to Porirua’s Te Rauparaha Arena for the opening and closing ceremonies.