Guyana-born and bred power lifter Gumendra Shewdas, who was ranked number eight in the world last year in the 53kg sub junior category, is now a strong contender to lift the number one spot later this year after shattering national and Caribbean records earlier this month.
Shewdas’ total that he lifted at the National Junior and Novices Championships in Berbice nine days ago is superior to number one ranked Russian, Samkaev Bulat’s who won the gold medal at the World Sub Junior’s and Junior’s Powerlifting Championships late last year.
Shewdas’s (the national and Caribbean championships 53kg sub junior Under 18 champion) total of 477.5kg is two and a half kg more than Bulat’s who lifted a total of 475 kg at the championships in Poland in September.
The runner up junior Sportsman-of-the-Year, who squatted 187.5kg, bench pressed 92.5kgs and dead lifted 197.5kg, (all new national and Caribbean records in his category) earlier this month, was also superior to Bulat in the squat and the dead lift.
The Russian’s squat (182.5kg) and his dead lift (177.5kg) pales in comparison to Shewdas’ lifts. Bulat, however, bench pressed 115kgs at the championships.
The Total Fitness Gym product had a total of 385kg before the championships but has since improved by leaps and bounds.
So what has caused such drastic improvements?
“It is a combination of me pushing myself more in gym and a better diet,” Shewdas disclosed to this publication yesterday via telephone.
“Basically it is the same work I do in gym but I have added more weights because I am more confident in my abilities.”
When asked how he felt to be lifting more than the number one ranked powerlifter in his category Shewdas stated:
“Winning and being number one is always a good feeling but until I am officially listed (as number one) and have the hardware to show I will continue to train like I am number eight.”
The power lifter, who called for more support for lifters, will have a chance to showcase his talents on the international scene when he represents Guyana at the Caribbean and Pan Am Championships in Florida in July.
