Image Credit: CFJC Today

By Adam Donnelly

SPECIAL OLYMPICS

Clearwater powerlifter is training hard for the Special Olympics World Games in Berlin

Mar 29, 2023 | 4:31 PM

KAMLOOPS — Powerlifting is a strength sport in which competitors try to lift maximum weights in three different lifts: the bench press, the squat and the deadlift.

However, for Special Olympics powerlifters, it’s about more than just how much weight they’re able to lift. It’s about perseverance, discipline and a positive attitude.

CFJC Today caught up with a powerlifter who has all three of those characteristics in spades, as he trains for the Special Olympics World Games in Berlin from June 17 to 24.

Ryan Kealey is strong — like superhero strong. The young man, who lives in Clearwater, travels to Kamloops at the start of each week to train in preparation for the Special Olympics World Games in June.

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“I was inspired by the stories of David and Goliath, Samson and Hercules. All the strongest characters we’ve known in every story,” Kealey tells CFJC Today. “It made me want to be stronger and healthier, just like that, as I get older.”

Back in February, Ryan won a national championship in his weight class, lifting a combined 577.5 kilograms, including a 155 kg bench press, a 205 kg squat, and a 217.5 kg deadlift. Despite that prodigious strength, Ryan is more focused on the internal challenge of competition than any flashy hardware.

“I always focus on just doing my best and giving it all I have,” Ryan explains. “I don’t expect to have that, at all,” he says, pointing at his national championship gold medal.

Ryan’s coach, Jordan Sernaggia, says Ryan’s approach to powerlifting is unique to the sport.

“He’s quiet, he’s calm, controlled. Nothing phases him,” Jordan says. “Which is really interesting when you think about powerlifting because powerlifting is typically loud, it’s angry, it’s aggressive, and that’s not Ryan. Ryan is quiet, he’s to himself, he’s internally motivated.”

Ryan is extremely committed to getting strong. He’s increased his training schedule from twice to three times a week and is looking forward to when all the snow in Clearwater melts so he can get out and ride his bike.

Sernaggia believes Ryan has a good chance at earning some hardware come World Games time in Berlin.

“I think he’s going to do well. He won’t get phased, where others might,” Sernaggia explains. “He’ll be able to adapt to the change in scenery, to the change in environment, and when the weights are on the bar he’ll go out and lift what he needs to lift because none of that phases him. He just doesn’t get phased.”

While Ryan’s focus right now is on his training, he’s already looking forward to the trip halfway around the world in June.

“I think just seeing the world of it — seeing the buildings I’ve never seen before, seeing the creatures and trying the fancy cooking I’ve been hearing about,” Ryan says.

As for the competition, Ryan isn’t focused on winning or losing, or what colour medal he hopes to get. He wants to make sure he lives up to the Special Olympics motto and show the bravery he possesses.

“My goal is simple as always — just give it all I have and more,” Kealey says. “Just showing people we can all do these things if we dedicate ourselves.”