Guyana will have a chance to defend its men’s team title in the Cayman Islands for the fifth International Powerlifting Federation (IPF)/North American Powerlifting Federation (NAPF)/ Caribbean Powerlifting Champion-ships if the Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation (GAPF) can solve its cash flow problems.
Therefore the association has embarked on several ventures to raise monies to send a team of six men and one woman to the March 23-27 championships. They have appealed to corporate Guyana to pitch in to ensure the team attends the championships.
President of the GAPF, Peter Green said that the selection committee had to make some tough decisions when it came to selecting a squad for the championships.
According to reports coming out of the GAPF, the cost for one athlete is US$1,500 and this covers all related expenses.
However, Stabroek Sport understands that the monies the GAPF has garnered can only accommodate three powerlifters.
Meanwhile, the association will be holding a barbecue today at the Basic Beauty Salon on North Road and apart from this the executive of the GAPF is expected to meet with Sport Minister Dr. Frank Anthony.
The GAPF is hoping that the ministry can sponsor one athlete and according to a source in the association they will be highlighting the achievements of the selected athletes.
Guyana’s strongmen first won the team championship when Guyana hosted the Caribbean championships last year at the Princess Hotel.
The shortlisted athletes are:
Randolph Morgan: (82.5kg/83.0kg – Body Max Gym) – Two time Men’s Open Caribbean Champion – 2009/2010; Two Time Men’s Open Caribbean Best Lifter Overall Champion – 2009/2010; North American Regional Men’s Open Gold Medalist; 2009 Pan American Men’s Open Gold Medalist – 2009; Central American and Caribbean Games Men’s Open Gold Medalist – 2010; Caribbean, North American and Central American Record Holder; First and only senior Guyanese lifter to dead lift over 673lbs.
John Edwards: (125.0kg/120.0kg – Kingsrow Barbel Club) – Two time Men’s Open Caribbean Champion – 2009/ 2010; Two-time Men’s Masters M1 Open Caribbean Champion class – 2009 / 2010; Two-time North American Regional Men’s Open Champion – 2008/2009; Two-time North American Regional Men’s Masters M1 Champion – 2008/ 2009; Pan American Men’s Open Champion 2009; Pan American Men’s Masters M1 Champion 2009; Caribbean, North American record holder; First and only senior Guyanese lifter to officially bench press over 500 lbs.
Karel Mars: (110.0kg/105.0kg – Buddy’s Gym) – National Men’s Open Champion / Best lifter overall 2010; Caribbean Men’s Open Silver Medalist – 2010.
Kenneth Melville: (110.0kg/105.0kg – Essequibo) – National Novices / Intermediate Junior Open Champion 2010; Central American and Caribbean Junior Champion 2010; Central American and Caribbean Junior runner-up Overall 2010; North American Regional Junior Champion 2010; North American Regional Junior runner-up Overall 2010.
Anis Ade Thomas: (82.5kg/83.0kg – Total Fitness Gym Berbice) – National Men’s Junior Open Champion 2010; Caribbean Men’s Junior Champion 2010; Caribbean Men’s Junior runner-up overall 2010; First junior Guyanese to officially dead lift over 600lbs.
Colin Chesney: (125.0kg/120.0kg – Total Fitness Gym, Grove, EBD) – National Men’s Open Champion 2010; First and only senior Guyanese lifter to officially squat over 800lbs.
Dawn Barker: (90.0kg/84.0+kg – Upper Demerara Gym) – National Women’s Open Champion 2006/2010; Current record holder for the squat; First and only female Guyanese lifter to squat over 400lbs.
