The crème de la crème of Guyana’s first time and under-23 powerlifters are set to transform the New Amsterdam Multilateral School into a battle ground when this year’s annual juniors and novices powerlifting championships are staged today.
According to the Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation (GAPF), the championships are scheduled to attract in excess of 30 lifters from seven gyms.
Caribbean powerlifting gold medal winner Vijai Rahim, Suraj and Gumendra Shewdas, Fabian Ketwaroo and Fazim Abdool are all set to be in action today.
Rahim, the 2012 59kg Caribbean powerlifting championships gold medalist and record holder in the squat (227.5kgs) and dead-lift (232.5kgs), has signaled his intention of rewriting the record books.
The 20-year old powerlifter from the Hardcore Gym recorded his record breaking lifts at the Senior National Championships last December en route to lifting the overall champion’s trophy.
Rahim, who has moved up to the 66kgs class, said that he is aiming to smash the South American squat record that stands at 529 pounds.
Gumendra, 18, the runner up junior Sportsman-of-the-Year, won the 53kgs division in December with a total of 452kgs. He has also signaled his intention of raising his poundage across the board by at least 15kgs.
His brother and gymmate from the Total Fitness Gym, Suraj, has a total of 485 kilogrammes and has stated he is aiming to take his total to 500kgs.
Some other lifters that will be competing today include Jeremy Chow, Troy Felix, Hardat Terry, Deonarine Dutt, and females Tiffany Mack, Candacy Lynch, and Natoya Robinson.
The lifters will be vying for places to represent Guyana at the Caribbean/Pan American/ North American Championships in Orlando, Florida from July 1 to 7.
The event commences at 11:00hrs and admission is free.
The main sponsors include Fitness Express and the Trophy Stall.
Weigh in starts at 8:00hrs.
