By Emmerson Campbell
Following Guyana’s performances at this year’s London Olympic Games, former deadlift World record holder in the 74kgs Master’s Two category, Winston ‘Little Master’ Stoby sees the need to make the nation proud again on the world stage.
Stoby who set a deadlift World record of 265.5kgs earlier this year, saw that record recently broken by a Russian (267.5kgs) which has given the ‘Little Master’ a reason to reclaim his World record when he competes at the Masters Powerlifting Championships in October in Killen, Texas.
Stoby has had an exceptional year thus far, winning multiple gold medals and according to members of the Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation (GAPF),Stoby, the top seeded lifter in his category, is peaking at the right time.
Stoby is also bent on lifting a gold medal in October because he missed last year’s event because of visa issues. However, he has already secured his visa and is brimming with confidence because last year’s gold medallist’s total was nowhere near what his total is.
According to reports from the International Powerlifting Federation (IPF), Stoby, the 74kg Masters Two, is the World number-one ranked contender this year in his weight class and barring any setbacks, he should give Guyana its first ever World Power lifting title.
Stoby, who has won gold medals at the Pan Am, CAC and Caribbean Championships, participation at the five-day event which commences on October 1, hinges however, on the support of corporate Guyana and major stakeholders.
Compatriot Big John Edwards (120kgs class) has been withdrawn due to an injury therefore corporate Guyana needs to rally around the ‘Little Master’ to lift another gold medal as well as the Golden Arrowhead.
Guyana sorely needs athletes to be proud of at the World level. Sponsorship is welcome and persons interested in rallying around him can contact him on telephone number 624-8710.
Stoby is scheduled to wing out on September 28.
