– sidelined by leg injury
By Marlon Munroe
Two-time Caribbean best lifter in the 82.5kg weight class Randolph Morgan due to a minor injury in his leg will not be competing in the Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation’s (GAPF) Banks Power Stout National Powerlifting Championships at the Critchlow Labour College (CLC) tomorrow from 10:00 hours.
Rather, Morgan will be the guest lifter but he will not be attempting the squat since this would aggravate his leg injury.
Morgan set a new National, Regional and Caribbean record in the bench press on the first day of the fourth International Powerlifting Federation (IPF)/North American Powerlifting Federation (NAPF) Caribbean Islands Bench Press and Powerlifting Championships at the Princess Hotel in March.
The national championships will be held to select Guyana’s contingent for the fifth IPF/NAPF ) Caribbean Islands Bench Press and Powerlifting Championships to be held in the United States Virgin Islands (USVI) next March. That aside, Morgan’s eligibility for selection on the national team will not be hampered according to president of the GAPF Peter Green. Green told Stabroek Sport yesterday that according to the GAPF’s constitution if a lifter produces a medical certificate then special considerations will be noted by the association. Even without this consideration in part of the GAPF’s constitution Green said that Morgan would have been considered for national duty since he is two-time defending champion in the 82.5kg weight class.
He also indicated that he understands when some “of his big guns” require rest from the sport due to injury. According to Green the association wants to field the best team and Morgan is one of the best lifters in his category.
Green said that Morgan has proven himself on several occasions and therefore for him to rest would reduce the risk of further injury. At this point he reiterated that the strongman is eligible for selection next year.
When Morgan, who is also the Pan American champion, was contacted yesterday he told this publication that he will be attempting the deadlift and bench press but will not be squatting since he was advised by his therapist to rest. He pointed out that he picked up the injury during training while also admitting that he is somewhat tired due to his workload and competitions. One of his aims is to break the world deadlift record in the 82.5kg weight class which currently stands at 784lbs and this will only be recognised if it is done at an international meet.
He said that to give himself the opportunity of pushing the new mark to 800lbs he will have to give himself adequate rest so that he will be at an optimum level to represent Guyana and to attempt this record.
He admitted that patrons can expect a sterling performance from him but reassured that they will see the best of him when he is fully recuperated. Meanwhile, the competition was launched at Banks DIH, Thirst Park, on Thursday and Green reminded media operatives that the event has been sponsored by the beverage giant for over a decade. He also promised that the competition will be a keenly contested one and the country’s best strongmen will be on show.
Green emphasised that the sponsorship by Banks DIH is critical for the development of the sport in Guyana and the company should be commended for its largesse.
Tickets for the competition will cost $500 and are on sale at Cell Zone in Stabroek Market and Basic Beauty on North Road. The official weigh-in, registration and certification of gear will be done tomorrow between 08:00hrs-10:00hrs and registration fee is $1,500.
