BLOUNT COUNTY, Tenn. — The Power Partners train together, they help each other and soon a member will represent the East Tennessee team on the world stage.
They are a training team for the Special Olympics, mostly training in a gym in Blount County. Their coach, Chip Hultquist, said the team specializes in powerlifting and its members routinely exceed expectations.
"They're squatting, they're deadlifting and just taking that expectation beyond what it ever was expected to be," he said. "We actually compete with the athletes as partners. This is a way we can provide a partner to support the athlete and, actually, we lift with the athlete."
One Power Partner, Brad Davis, will soon compete in the International Powerlifting Federation's World Open Equipped Powerlifting Championships. The championships will be held from Nov. 11 to Nov. 16 in Reykjanesbaer, Iceland.
"We're expecting Brad to do some really big things and lift a lot of weight, and just have fun on the international stage," said Hultquist.
Davis has been a Special Olympics athlete for around eight years, competing in both skiing and powerlifting. He recorded a 360 lbs. deadlift and is continuing to prove himself as a fierce competitor.
"Immediately, it was a perfect fit. He truly enjoyed it, and seemed to excel at it. And so, ever since he's been a powerlifter as well as a skier," said Kent Davis, Brad's father.
Hulquist said all members of the Power Partners have grown since joining, making themselves stronger with each day of training.
"We see them getting stronger, more confident," said Hultquist. "They're excited about coming in here and building more muscle, lifting heavy weights. So, that's really infectious."
The Power Partners will host a dinner event at a pizza and pasta restaurant in Maryville to raise money to support the team. It will be on Nov. 4 starting at 5:30 p.m. at Amici, located at 1420 East Broadway Avenue.