Liftoff at Muscle Beach:

The Special Needs Liftoff at Muscle Beach on Saturday, October 10. Athletes competed in bench press and dead lift events. The program was presented through the Los Angeles Department of Parks & Recreation by an all-volunteer team. Formerly a Special Olympics sport, powerlifting was one of eight sports cut by the nonprofit organization in 2008. Many of the personnel at Saturday’s event have volunteered with the Special Olympics for 20 years and wanted to give athletes the opportunity to continue their training and competition. Judges from the United States Powerlifting Federation (USPF) also volunteered.