The workshops were held by the Agitos Foundation, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) development arm, in collaboration with the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games and the Brazilian Paralympic Committee (CPB).

A total of 27 coaches and athletes from Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Nicaragua and the host nation Brazil participated in the sessions.

The powerlifting coaches were given guidance from Jon Amos, the chairperson of IPC Powerlifting’s Sport Technical Committee, on the technical and tactical aspects of training athletes.

Coaches were also given the opportunity to test their knowledge during training camps with powerlifters, who had already participated in sessions with Brazilian sitting volleyball player Renato Leite.

Additionally, the athletes were able to participate in the IPC Proud Paralympian programme, which seeks to educate them on how they can best use social media and interviews, as well as learning how to share their stories.

“This was first time taking part in a course like this,” said Cuba’s Leidy Rodriguez, who won gold in the 41 to 45 kilogram women’s event at the Toronto 2015 Parapan American Games.

“I was totally impressed with the course.

“The best part for me was sharing and preparing our personal stories.”

Held prior the World Cup, which took place from January 16 to 18, the event also enabled athletes to take part in an IPC Athlete Career Programme workshop run by IPC and CPB’s partner Adecco.

The workshop focused on the career aspirations of the athletes, detailing how they can use their skills, acquired during their careers, to earn jobs.

Across all the Agitos Foundation workshops, which included events at Toronto 2015 and the 2015 IPC Powerlifting Open Americas Championships in Mexico, athletes and coaches from goalball, sitting volleyball, swimming, athletics and powerlifting have all taken part.