Colin ‘Mr Clean’ Chesney created history by becoming the first Guyanese to break the 800-pound squat barrier last Sunday when the Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation (GAPF) held its annual Novice and Junior Championships at the Skeldon Secondary School, Corriverton, Berbice.
Chesney, whose previous best was 744 lbs (337.5kgs) at last year’s Senior National Championships, in his third attempt powered 802.5lbs (365kgs). The squatting of this weight effectively lulled the rivalry that was brewing with another ‘titan’ of the sport, ‘Big’ John Edwards, if only temporarily.
Edwards had three failed attempts at the 332.kg mark. Chesney, 37, of the Total Fitness Gym on the East Bank of Demerara, made his first try at 320kg, then moved to 352.5kg before nailing 365kg. Efforts to contact Chesney yesterday proved futile.
In the bench press despite his failed attempt at 200kgs he conquered the 172.5 and 185kgs lifts before dead lifting 252kgs in his first attempt. He failed at his next two attempts of 275kgs.
Meanwhile, Dr. Osmond Mack of the Kingsrow Barbell Gym, competing in the men’s open category, copped the best lifter title. His best lift in the squat was 215kgs while in the bench press and dead lift his best were 137.5kgs and 192.5kgs respectively.
Mack, 31, beat Godwin Edwards of Upper Demerara into second place while his club mate Owen Thomside was third. Edwards lifted a total of 632kgs and Thomside powered 627.5kgs.
In the junior category Praimchand Singh of Buddy’s Gym emerged as the winner with a total of 480kgs. Second and third place winners Fabian Ketwaru of Total Fitness in Berbice, and Chris Sankar of Hardcore had 422kgs and 452kgs respectively. In the sub-junior category Gumendra Shewdass was the winner with a total of 372kgs while Suraj Shewdass and Kevin Brijlall were second and third respectively.
Anis Ade Thomas of Berbice triumphed over Kenneth Melville in the men’s junior category.
