A five-year dream of representing Guyana came through for Paul Adams yesterday when it was found out that he was selected by the Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation (GAPF) for the fifth IPF/NAPF Caribbean Islands Bench Press and Powerlifting Championships in Cayman Islands from March 15-19 next year.
Adams, who won the 67.5kg weight class when the GAPF National Senior Powerlifting Championships was staged earlier this month, told Stabroek Sport yesterday that “it feels good to be selected for Guyana.”
He revealed that there have been hiccups in the past with his equipment and his weight but those will be rectified and he is now looking forward to next year.
His first order of business is to continue working with trainer John ‘Big John’ Edwards and gauge his progress up to January. He pointed out that he is looking to lift 1350 pounds in total, which will guarantee him records at the championships next year.
For this to be acquired Adams, 24, will be looking to perfect squatting 523lbs, bench pressing 314.5lbs and deadlifting 500lbs. In his estimation he is close to achieving these totals since he powered 485lbs, 297.6lbs and 490.5lbs at the national championships that were held at the Critchlow Labour College (CLC).
Speaking after the GAPF’s presentation ceremony for the national championships yesterday at the fast food joint JR Burgers Adams, who trains at Kingsrow Gym, emphasised that he has done most of the hard work during training.
However, his two challenges are mental, where he is low on confidence before competition, and his fluctuation of weight. These, he said, will be worked on over the next couple of months and in the lead up to the Cayman Islands.
The bank worker also has his eyes set on the post Cayman Islands tournament, which will be sanctioned by the International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) and includes countries under the North American Powerlifting Federation (NAPF) and Caribbean Region. However, this is not his main concern at this time.
Meanwhile, president of the GAPF Peter Green at the presentation ceremony yesterday, said that the team that was selected is capable of retaining the team championships which Guyana won in March when the tournament was held at Princess Hotel.
He indicated that a lot of thought had gone into the selection of the team and lots of hard work is ahead for the association and for the athletes to retain Guyana’s title.
He also appealed for corporate sponsorship to facilitate the team’s travel and said he was grateful for the other corporate entities that have been on board with the GAPF. Banks DIH came in for special mention.
The GAPF has also included 90kg female lifter Dawn Barker, the first Guyanese woman to deadlift 400lbs. However, the GAPF has opted to leave out defending Open Masters champion in the 56-60kgs weight class division Winston Stoby. Stoby is scheduled to compete at the World Championships in Canada from September 29 to October 4.
Another seasoned competitor that will not be on Guyana’s roster is Edwards, who will be performing the duties of coach of the team. Runner up best lifter in the national championships, Colin ‘Mr. Clean’ Chesney will be filling that slot for Edwards.
The Guyana team will also have to keep its fingers crossed since two-time champion lifter for the championships, Randolph Morgan is currently undergoing therapy from a minor leg injury.
Morgan, who also heads the Caribbean, Regional and Pan American rankings in the 82.5kg division, had told Stabroek Sport that he was recuperating. Should Morgan not compete at next year’s championships, the talented Anis Ade Thomas of Berbice will take his place. He did not compete at the national championships but he performed as a guest lifter, executing the benchpress and deadlift.
Guyana team reads: Juniors- Vijay Rahim (65kg), Anais Ade Thomas (82.5) and Kenneth Melville (110kg); Men’s Open: Vijay Rahim (56kg), Wazim Imamdeen (60kg), Paul Adams (67.5 kg), Karel Mars (100 kg), Farouk Abdool (110 kg) and Colin Chesney (125 kg) Randolph Morgan and Dawn Barker (90kg). Coach- John Edwards.
Also yesterday the GAPF presented Karel Mars with his Best Lifter trophy, while Chesney and Adams received their second and third place trophies respectively. Barker received the Best Lifter trophy for the females while Kingsrow won the Best Gym prize.
