Carlos ‘The Showstopper’ Petterson-Griffith returned home to a warm reception on Saturday night following his record-breaking performance at the International Powerlifting Federation Classic World Open Championships in Druskininkai, Lithuania.
Petterson-Griffith, who finished 5th overall in a field of 34 competitors, etched his name in the annals of world history by setting a new benchmark for the squat with a mammoth 337.5 kg (744.06 lbs), besting the previous mark of 337 kg held by American Gavin Adin.
With his remarkable feat, which led to a gold medal acquisition in the section, Petterson-Griffith, who is colloquially known as the ‘Showstopper’, became just the second Guyanese to achieve a world record in any discipline.
Overall, Petterson-Griffith tallied a combined 860 kg (1895.975 lbs) after also bench-pressing 177.5 kg and deadlifting 345 kg.
Among those on hand to welcome Petterson-Griffith at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport were Director of Sport Steve Ninvalle and President of the Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation Franklin Wilson.
Ninvalle extended congratulations to Petterson-Griffith on this accomplishment, which he said brings pride to the nation, noting that the sport of powerlifting will always have their support.
“You have started a trend in this country that will continue for a very long time. It is not an easy feat to break a world record, and you have broken that record while you were training in Guyana, and I think that is something very special for us”, he added.
“Many a times we find that our athletes have to go overseas to train in order to achieve a certain level, but you were able to do that training in Guyana. I am elated. When you would have lifted those weights and achieved that record, you lifted an entire nation, and we stand proud to say that we have a world record holder, as not many countries in Caricom can say that”, Ninvalle emphasised.
The Director of Sport indicated that Minister Charles Ramson was overseas but extended congratulations to Petterson-Griffith.
Ninvalle stated that his performance will serve as an inspiration to the young athletes here and pledged continued support for Petterson-Griffith.
Meanwhile, GAPLF President Franklin Wilson also congratulated Petterson-Griffith on his achievement and noted that this was in the making, having watched his charge at Sheffield24.
“Carlos’s achievement is great for this nation when it comes to the development of sports and the empowerment of our athletes. Carlos has been receiving tremendous support from the Ministry of Sport, the National Sports Commission, and, by extension, the Government of Guyana and the Guyana Olympic Association”, he said.
Carlos Petterson-Grifith has four victories in 11 competitions during his career, which began in 2017.
The GAPLF also recognised the performance of another powerlifter, Winston Stoby, who also claimed a world record in 2012. Stoby competed in the 74kg class at the Masters’ 11 Equipped World Powerlifting Championships in Killeen, Texas, where he set a world record in the deadlift with 272.5kg.
