Guinness ‘Reach for Greatness’ Power Lifting Championships on tomorrow

Oct 25, 2008 Sports

‘Big’ John Edwards aiming to shatter records, Mervin ‘Spongy’

Moses 50-50

Guinness Brand Manager Lee Baptiste (left) handing over the overall winner

By Franklin Wilson
When the annual Guyana Amateur Power Lifting Federation Senior National Championships powers off tomorrow at the Banks DIH Sports Club, Thirst Park under the Guinness brand, competitors will be ‘Aiming for Greatness’, which the product is being marketed as.

National heavyweight king ‘Big’ John Edwards speaking with Kaieteur Sport says he is aiming to shatter his own records in the 125kg (275 lbs) weight class come tomorrow.

Edwards is the holder of the squat (734 ¾), bench press (501 ½), dead lift 655 ¾ and total (1890) records and is concentrating on lifting the bar even higher.

Training he said has been going well and despite a slight shoulder injury sustained over two weeks ago, he would be in shape to bend iron come tomorrow, an event power lifting fans and enthusiast would not want to miss. And even if you are not a fan, you would want to see these strongmen in action.

Yesterday at Basis Beauty on North Road, Guinness Brand Manager Lee Baptiste handed over all the trophies to the GAPLF Public Relations Officer Rhon Loncke stating that Banks DIH was again privileged to be associated with the sport.

“We have been partnering with the GAPLF for many years and as a company we are happy with the progress they have been making over the last few years.

John Edwards and Mervin Moses have not too long done us proud overseas and we are confident that their performances here and abroad will serve as motivation to the other aspiring athletes and we are happy to assist in this regard.”

Banks DIH, Baptiste said has been supporting the development of sport across the board in Guyana and will continue to maintain this corporate and social responsibility.

Also present at yesterday’s simple presentation was FAPLF President, Peter Green who disclosed that for the first time, random drug testing will be introduced in keeping with doping regulations stipulated by the World Anti Doping Agency.

Green noted that at the conclusion of tomorrow’s event athletes will be shortlisted for three Caribbean and international events next year. The Caribbean championship in Cayman Islands in March, World Juniors in Brazil (June/July) and the First Championship of the Americas, the date and time is not yet known.

Green said he is hoping that Guyana can field both male and female teams but recognizes the challenges the sport has been facing to attract female competitors.

Mervin Moses’ participation hangs in the balance after he suffered a back injury some weeks ago. He said he is still weighing his options with regard to taking part.

Competition tomorrow will be in the 52kg (114lbs), 56kg (123lbs), 60kg (132lbs), 67.5kg (148.5lbs), 75kg (165lbs), 82.5kg (181 pounds), 90kg (198lbs), 100kg (220lbs), 110kg (242lbs) and 125kg (275lbs) divisions.
Weigh in time is 09:00hrs with lifting time set for 10:00hrs.

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