Odel Persaud emerged best junior lifter at the Guyana Amateur Weightlifting Association (GAWA) National Novices championships staged yesterday at the National Gymnasium.
Competing in the 56 kilogramme class, Persaud of Barim’s Gym, East Bank Essequibo, snatched 47.5 kg and lifted 65 kg in the clean and jerk for a total of 112.5 kg.
Sherland Wilson also of Barim’s Gym won the 62 kilogramme class. He recorded 55 kg in the snatch and 62.5 kg in the clean and jerk to finish with a total of 117.5 kg.
The overall score was also determined by the lifters’ body weight.
Kelwin Josiah competing in the Schoolboy under-50 kg class won from teammate Derron Wright. Both lifters are from Barim’s Gym.
Derick Hyman got the better of Kelvin Moore in the Schoolboys over-50 kg class.
Other winners were Terence Halley and Dorian Scott while Marvis Williams, Ajodha Harrichand, Leon Johnson and Sean Cozier also participated in attempts to reach the qualifying mark for upcoming international events.
Williams, Harrichand and Johnson are vying for selection for the Simon Bolivar Tournament set for neighbouring Venezuela from June 23-28, while Cozier hopes to attend the Pam American Masters from July 12-15 in Puerto Rico.
Deion Nurse, secretary of the GAWA, has come out of retirement and will also be seeking to compete in the Masters Tournament.
Meanwhile, the GAWA will be holding a month of activities in May in observance of the association’s 68th anniversary.
Nurse disclosed that there will be several exhibition matches around the country and officials will also be involved in public education programme.
The National Junior Championships will also take place as part of the activities on May 25 at the National Gymnasium.
