By Kizan Brumell
John ‘Big John’ Edwards and Mervyn ‘Spongy’ Moses returned from the recently concluded North American Powerlifting Federation and International Powerlifting Federation powerlifting tournaments held in Aruba with a combined total of nine medals.
Despite being faced with flight problems from out of Trinidad and Tobago, the pair, who were accompanied by president of the Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation (GAPF) Peter Greene, still managed to dominate their division and come out triumphant.
Edwards was crowned the overall winner in the M1 (40-50years) category after claiming two gold medals and a silver in the three contested lifts.
He first squatted a massive 676 ½ lbs, bench pressed 500 ½ lbs and then dead lifted his way to the top of his group when he pulled up a whopping 638lbs earning himself two gold medal and a silver medal for his efforts.
Edwards, who trains at the Kingsrow Barbell Club, in an invited comment told Stabroek Sport that he felt proud to hear the national anthem of Guyana played before the US national anthem in the 10-team competition.
“I felt proud to know that I brought home gold, especially whilst standing on the podium and hearing my national anthem being played first over the Star Spangled Banner of the USA. It was a proud moment and I must say thanks to all the sponsors who made this trip possible not only for myself but the team.”
He added:“Our feats display that Guyana has some of the strongest lifters amongst the countries in the world and that in itself is a proud moment also. It is not easy competing amongst the USA, Canada and even some of the European countries at tournaments of such magnitude and to dominate them in such a manner would be a proud achievement for anybody.”
“The gold medals just show also the level of athletes we have despite the shortfalls we are faced with in terms of equipment, finances, training techniques and other miscellaneous hurdles we would have to cross.”
Moses on the other hand was a tad bit unfortunately as he did not get to compete in the 165lbs category he initially wanted to enter but instead had to compete in the 175lbs category because of the weight he was carrying at the weigh in where he was 1 ½ lbs over the weight limit.
And even though he was given a 20-minute grace period and an additional 15 minutes to drop the weight, Moses still found it difficult to make that category and had to compete in a heavier weight class after weighing in 1 ¼ lbs over the weight limit.
This did not deter him, as he squatted 610lbs, bench pressed 374lbs which was a personal best and maxed out 576.1/4 lbs in the dead lift to earn for himself silver, bronze and another silver respectively.
Unlike Edwards, he had to settle for the overall third position in his weight class, but still felt satisfied with his performance.
“When one would have a look at what we endured prior to this tournament, including one months’ preparation along with the flight problems we encountered coming out of Trinidad and Tobago, they would readily say that such was not an easy task” said Edwards.
“We, however, decided to stick to our plan which was to go out there and do our best despite whatever hurdles was placed before us, and that is exactly what we did in the end. Our best not only for ourselves, but for Guyana on the whole.”
Meanwhile, Greene like Edwards, expressed his delight at hearing the national anthem of Guyana being sounded on so many occasions over that of the USA and Canada.
“That was the sweetest moment for me in Aruba. Hearing our national anthem being played over that of the USA and Canada was a tremendous feeling. It made my eye teary hearing it being played, knowing that the USA had a 12-man team and we only had two,” Greene stated.
He added:“It is my fervent hope now that the powerlifters have shown what they are capable of, that the corporate bodies in Guyana will step forward in realizing Guyana’s glory and true place on the world stage and offer some assistance.”
“It was 12 years ago (1976) when Guyana last competed on the International scene where Winston Stoby copped a gold medal in the dead lift in Canada. Now these two has shown that they have the capabilities of putting Guyana on the map in the sport of powerlifting, I would like to see more support from Corporate Guyana as we endeavor to do same.”
The trio expressed special and heartfelt thanks to the business entities who supported the team and never had doubts about their success namely, the New GPC Inc. Courts Guyana Limited, Sterling Products Limited, King’s Jewelry World, Buddy’s Gym, MFK Trading, Andre Poonai Investments and Farfan and Mendes.
The GAPF declined the invitation to participate in the World Powerlifting Championships which is slated to be held in Nova Scotia, Canada, but have their eyes set on sending a team to participate in the Championships of Caribbean Islands in March 2009.
“We received the invitation to the World Championships in November, but looking at the time frame we decided not to participate in this competition, but rather go to the Championships of Caribbean Islands next year March,” said Edwards.
NUMBER ONES ALL THE WAY!. Mervyn ‘Spongy’ Moses (left) and John ‘Big John’ Edwards strike a pose with their medals for Stabroek sports photographer Clairmonte Marcus.
