How does Powerlifting relate to functional ability?

Well, what makes exercise functional? We often simply talk about how exercise makes you better able to move by: getting into/out of bed/chair/car, being able to run/walk/crawl, and being able to lift/move/carry things. However, you can argue that you can train to make things functional for that individualls professions or hobbies. It may look silly but if you can put a rod on a cable machine and do front raises, that may make you a better fisherman. Would using a body blade for time make a better and more stable drummer? Athletes very commonly do a variety of weird and unusual exercises that are creatively constructed by coaches/trainers to address the specific and unique needs of those particular atheltes (see videos here). However, for those specific needs they all are functional.