Following 79 year-old Naranjan Singh’s performance on the platform yesterday, Team Guyana finished with a total of 21 medals as the curtains came down on the 10th Annual FESUPO Regional Powerlifting Championships in Lima, Peru.
This is according to a statement released by the Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation (GAPLF) yesterday.
According to the release, the USA based Singh, competing in the 83kg M4 category, landed gold medals in the squat and bench press but was unable to get any of the three deadlifts which denied him the chance of a medal in this lift as well as an overall medal.
Singh, who encountered some difficulties with an upset stomach, was still able to win a gold medal in the South American Men’s Equipped Bench Press Championships in his weight class, which added to the Bench Press medals won by Wazim Mohamed in the M1 93kg as well as Sarah Sanmoogan (63kg) and Keisha Abrigo (76kg).
Singh, the only equipped athlete on Team Guyana for these championships, competed as a weightlifter (1966-1979) before entering the platform as a powerlifting athlete, achieved a best squat of 100.0kg (220lb), whilst benching 87.5kg (190lb). His performance was hailed as nothing short of motivational by his teammates as well as lifters from the other competing nations who applauded him. The appreciative fans also resoundingly applauded Singh during his lifts and also at the presentation ceremony.
His performance was the perfect icing on the cake for Team Guyana which accumulated a total of 14 gold, two silver, and five bronze medals during the championships which saw two lifters Sanmoogan and Kheon Evans making their debuts.
President of the GAPLF, Franklin Wilson, along with other executive members extended congratulations to the team for its outstanding performances.
The GAPLF is also extending its gratitude to the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, National Sports Commission, Guyana Olympic Association, John Fernandes Limited, the National Milling Company of Guyana, and 592Tees for making the team’s trip to Peru, a reality.
Team Guyana is expected home tomorrow.
