By Emmerson Campbell
After having an unsuccessful 2011 because of appendicitis surgery, 2010’s 67.5kgs power lifting champion Paul Adams is now back in the gym preparing for the 6th annual Caribbean Powerlifting Championships which will be held in St Thomas, USVI from March 30 to 31.
Stabroek Sport caught up with Adams last evening after a workout in Eccles where he disclosed his workout regimen leading up to the championships as well as his goals for the championship.
Adams said: “I am feeling quite confident despite nervousness and minor glitches in training and financing but I am maintaining focus on training. I train four days a week and I am trying to prove that I am still competitive despite the surgery setback.”
Added Adams: “Right now under the training of Mervyn Moses and Sylvon Gardener, and mentorship from Big John (Edwards) and my teammate Karel (Mars)my only focus is to place in the top three at USVI and to prove to myself and others that being sidelined was just a minor setback.”
The 26-year-old strongman who returned to training last year under the guidance of Bruce Whatley despite being advised against it by skeptics was unsuccessful at last year’s senior championships due to difficulty in making his weight class.
Adams has since stepped up in weight to 74kgs to maximize his strength and he maintains that this has been fruitful so far.
Adams revealed that his goal in St. Thomas is to squat 560 pounds, bench press 330pounds and dead lift 540 pounds. He is currently squatting 535 pounds, bench pressing 315 pounds and dead lifting 500 pounds in multiple reps.
The former powerlifting champion also revealed that he is using 2010 CAC 74kg champion Winston Stoby as a benchmark to gain a best possible total since he sees him as one of the most respected, experienced and accomplished lifters in the country.
“Since we would be in the same weight division I have a better idea of what total to aspire to achieve.”
Adams will be part of a contingent that includes 53kg national sub-junior champion Gumendra Shewdas, his brother 59kg sub-junior champion Suraj Shewdas, 2010 59kg Caribbean junior champion Vijai Rahim, 2010 CAC 74kg champion Winston Stoby, 83kg Caribbean Open champion from 2009-2011 Randolph Morgan, 2010 Caribbean junior champion Anis-Ade Thomas, national open runner-up in the 83kg division Germaine Snagg, 2011 105kg Caribbean champion Karel Mars, last year’s 120kg national open champion Colin Chesney, national lifter in the 84kg Kimberley Mars-Loncke, and Caribbean champion and reigning Sportswoman of the Year Dawn Barker.
