ONE SPECIAL OLYMPIAN
by Dominick Castellano



It was the final attempt in the competition.

CJ had successfully completed 8 out of 8 lifts and amazingly, all his efforts were performed with the power and control of a hydraulic lift. As always, he was well prepared. Still, his face was drawn and showed the fatigue of a long day of competition. His squat lift and bench press lift eclipsed the World record, the most anyone had lifted in his weight class and division in Special Olympics history. He still had one final attempt left. I told him that he had truly earned the respect of everyone and had done all he needed to do. His performance was 50 pounds more than the winner of the last WORLD event ! If he really did want his final attempt, it would be his decision…

I felt he was spent and injury was a concern. All the noise and excitement of the final attempts of the other lifters in heavier weight classes made it hard to communicate. CJ was lifting the same amount of weight of competitors twice his body weight. The cheers of the crowd and the voices and the clanging of plates produced a surreal bubble of atmosphere and sound.  I impatiently awaited his decision. CJ carefully thought for a moment. He was much more composed than I. He softly said, "One more attempt please." I went to the control desk and told the official that CJ Piantieri would take his final attempt at 405 pounds. She abruptly looked up at me as If I could not be serious, but confirmed my request repeating, "Piantieri, 148 pound weight class, 405 pound final attempt."

As I chalked his hands, my own focus cleared. I explained that he would need the supreme effort to make this lift. This would require the greatest effort he had ever put forth in his life. The massive weight was loaded onto the bar. The crowd grew quiet… sensing the intensity of the moment as the announcer proclaimed this the final lift of the entire competition. CJ approached the bar. His 143 pound body was small but muscular. The bar seemed so ominous and defiant…so many plates and so much to lift. With the focus of an Olympic champion, he placed his feet, adjusted his grip, took a huge breath, head up, eyes on fire, and began to lift. The crowd erupted as the bar rose from the floor and slowly began to rise. Slowly, surely, the bar gave way to CJ's will. I screamed at the top of my lungs…
"Stay !  Head up !  Head up !

CJ held on but the bar's ascent slowed. The crowds screaming was ear wrenching as CJ's effort went from difficult to absolute extreme. With inches to completion, the massive weight almost overcame him. Time did not seem to exist in those critical seconds. I was in a state of disbelief. The crowd was now in a frenzy ! CJ strained with every fiber of his being for every quarter inch of movement. I was helpless and could only watch in awe as he again showed the courage of determination that makes him so unique. Each second was agony for me. He continued to strain, continued with the struggle that seemed to last hours, not seconds. CJ refused to give up, refused to submit, refused to fail. Gravity was saying no, but he was not listening. The final effort was intense and painful to watch. I could not accept this was happening. It was too much to ask any athlete. I wanted it to end. Forget the lift, I didn't want him hurt. I thought out loud, " I am going to stop this… he can't take it anymore !"

But, on this day he would not be denied. With a resounding yell heard round the auditorium, CJ found something deep within himself and conquered the weight . The crowd was in ecstasy. The moment was his. After he set the bar down, he just stood there, surprised, shy, motionless ! The crowd stopped screaming and silence overcame the auditorium. They too sensed the wonder of what had just happened. I ran up onto the platform, grabbed his arms and threw them up in the air ! The crowd again erupted in appreciation for such an incredible effort.
It was one GLORIOUS MOMENT ! It was one GLORIOUS DAY.

During the SUNSHINE NETWORK interview, I told the TV interviewer that this moment meant more to me than the Gold medal I won at Junior World Championships. There the National Anthem was played and the Stars and Stripes were raised. Yet, feeling I had when CJ completed that lift was more intense and more fulfilling than my own victory. Truly, words cannot describe that feeling of pride and respect for such courage. You have to be a coach and teacher and be in that place when all 15 years of work come together and then… if only for a moment… there is perfection.

CJ is not your average lifter. He is special. Special in ways most of us take for granted. His days are much more of a challenge for him than for most people. At birth, he had a stroke and in his life, CJ has had to deal with problems most of us only dream of in our worst nightmares. Neurological damage, seizure disorder, learning disability, and physical impairment are just a few of the things that CJ has suffered with in his 28 years. Incredibly, in his education, treatment and rehabilitation, he found the sport of Special Olympics POWERLIFTING… or better yet, POWERLIFTING found him.

CJ weighs only 143 pounds and lifts 350 pounds in the Squat lift, 220 in the Bench press and has done 410 in the deadlift in training ! He is 7 times a Florida State Special Olympics Champion. Special Olympics organizes coaching and events for thousands of special athletes throughout the world who work to better themselves, express themselves and enhance their lives through sport.

Years ago, Doctors told CJ's parents that weight training would be essential to his recovery. This exercise was critical in dealing with and controlling his neurological problems and decay. Since then, he has taken weight training to the extreme and found a love and talent in the sport of powerlifting. His supportive parents make all the difference. Fifteen years of non-stop strength and conditioning are part of the equation as well. CJ has even earned a high School diploma despite his learning disabilities. He so completely inspires all who know him. As his coach for the past 15 years, I have had the privilege to have a unique perspective in working with and being inspired by his strength of will, his dedication and his love of life. In fact, since my retirement from powerlifting, I have re-lived the sport through him.

The last three years at State SPECIAL OLYMPICS Championships, CJ has lifted even more than the heavyweight competitors. His lifting technique and platform manners show a skill and ability worthy of a WORLD CHAMPION . His training includes strict attention to detail and perfect technique. His training is as intense as you would expect of any world class athlete.

CJ hopes to one day represent the United States at the WORLD SPECIAL OLYMPIC GAMES. He certainly deserves the opportunity to have his country's flag raised, because he is truly one special representative for Special Olympics in America. CJ has a unique enthusiasm for his sport and for life itself. His own disabilities that are such a monumental challenge cannot slow him down. It is CJ's courage and determination that make him One Special Olympian and one special human being.

For all of us… the true lesson that CJ teaches by example...

"Setting Goals, Following Dreams, giving it all you've got, making it happen, being loved and respected… these are the things that make all the Difference in your Life !"