Powerlifter rises above adversity despite start in life
Angel Athenas, at five-foot-tall, is a wonder.
Angel won four gold medals at the 2019 Special Olympics World Games in Abu Dhabi, out lifting all women in their weight class and deadlifting 252 pounds. Angel has been on Good Morning America, honored by the New York State Senate, featured on ESPN and in Self magazine, and has friends they can call on in the WWE.
But when you consider what Angel has faced to arrive at this success, it’s a miracle.
How Angel’s story began
Angel’s story began when abandoned at birth by a drug-addicted mother. Angel had sustained abuse and neglect before they were adopted from foster care at age 8.
“Angel was nonverbal when she first came to us,” said their mother, Geri. Angel has a mix of autism, ADHD, bipolar disorder, and mild intellectual disability. When Geri’s family welcomed Angel into their home, they realized that sports could help Angel work through her behavioral challenges.
Angel’s love of sports
Angel tried many different things, hockey, track, and gymnastics, to name a few sports. When they discovered powerlifting through ACANY, Angel really shined. Their coaches were surprised by Angel’s ability and thought they were a natural.
That natural ability led to Special Olympics New York inviting Angel to the state games. Angel was the only female on the powerlifting team. Then Angel was invited to join the New York State Special Olympics Team in Seattle for the 2018 Special Olympics Games USA, where Angel won the weight class, earning four gold medals. Then Angel got a call from Washington, D.C., asking to represent the US at the Special Olympics in Abu Dhabi. There Angel added four more gold medals to her collection.
Angel’s future
Angel could easily compete professionally and go on to the Special Olympics games this summer in Berlin. But they’re not doing that. At 34, Angel has a new goal.
“Right now, Angel wants to focus on getting a job and realizes that she can’t lift forever,” said Geri. “Angel really wants to earn a paycheck.”
Angel said, “If you have a goal that you want to go for, do not [let anybody] stop you. Go forward and just do the best you can. And don’t let nobody tell you that you can’t do this.”
For Angel, the goal is to be “normal.” Considering all that they’ve been through, that should be an easy lift.