The National Sports Commission and the Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sport would like to congratulate Carlos Petterson-Griffith, a local powerlifter, on his incredible accomplishment of breaking the world record for the 93 kg class squat at the World Classic Powerlifting Championships in Lithuania.
This was disclosed in an official release.
Petterson-Griffith, who finished fifth overall in a group of 34 competitors, made history by registering a new squat record of 337.5 kg (744.06 lbs), surpassing American Gavin Adin’s previous record of 337 kg.
Petterson-Griffith, also known as the ‘Showstopper,’ became the first Guyanese to set a world record in any discipline with his incredible accomplishment, which resulted in a gold medal in the segment. He totaled 860 kg (1895.975 pounds) after bench pressing 177.5 kg and deadlifting 345 kg.
According to the correspondence, the extraordinary success of Petterson-Griffith serves as an example of what is possible when the necessary investment is matched with the available talent and coordinated with the necessary policies and structure.
The release further stated that his accomplishment is all the more remarkable because it has solidified Guyana’s place in the sporting world, particularly in a field that has historically been dominated by North Americans and Europeans. It also shows how far the country has come in developing a world-class sports culture.
The correspondence added that, in addition to making a lasting impression on the world, Petersen-Griffith’s accomplishment will act as a role model and source of inspiration for all Guyanese.
Meanwhile, the release also commended Dominic Tyrell for his outstanding debut in the 83 kg class, which resulted in a bronze medal and a sixth-place finish overall.
“The Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sport and the National Sports Commission would once again like to congratulate Petterson-Griffith on his remarkable achievement and state that we remain committed to the development and improvement of the sporting ecosystem.
His triumph will serve to further invigorate and empower the aforesaid objective”, the release stated.
