Consummate strongman, coach and Guide Samuel Barker Jr. passes away

Oct 01, 2010 Sports

---

was regarded as the ultimate sportsman & mentor in Linden

By Franklin Wilson
The Bauxite Mining Town of Linden was plunged into a state of mourning just before the midday hour yesterday September 30, 2010 when news of the passing of an extraordinary son of the soil, Samuel Meertins-Barker was broken.
Born on November 16, 1937 to Samuel Sr. and Virginia Barker, Sammy as he was fondly referred to by all, held and still holds the distinction of participating and excelling in all three weight sports, weightlifting, powerlifting and bodybuilding.
Barker was also active in the sport of cycling and has left an indelible mark in the minds and hearts of all whom in came into contact with and those he had a hand in molding.
Kaieteur Sport understands that Barker who had been ailing for some time now was hospitalized for the past two weeks before he succumbed yesterday around 11:45hrs.
Shellain Barker, one of Sammy’s seven children was too distraught to talk yesterday when contacted by Kaieteur Sport.
Barker, the first bodybuilder from Linden to compete at the national level, attended the Christianburg Scots School before pursuing studies at the Critchlow Labour College in Georgetown, where he successfully attained a Diploma in Industrial Relations and Management. He later became an Industrial Relations Officer attached to the Guyana Mines, Metal & General Workers’ Union.
His first competition was in 1958 when he traveled all the way to the city to participate in the Mr. Muscle Beach competition, placing second. In the same year, Barker also won the Junior Mr. Guyana title.
One year later at the same show (Mr. Muscle Beach) Barker copped 3rd place. In 1960, still a junior athlete, he was the second runner-up in the junior Mr. Guyana contest; in 1961 he was runner-up and in the same year in Linden, he placed 2nd in the Mr. Mackenzie show.
Sammy made a shift from bodybuilding to weightlifting, in 1961 and at that time three lifts were done – press, snatch and jerk. In his first competition as a novice, Barker took the top spot and also broke the national press record. He went on to cop the junior Mr. Guyana championship, this all happened in Georgetown. The year was 1961. At the Intermediate level in the same year, Barker was again the winner. First place had by now become his benchmark. At his third competition – this time in his hometown of Linden – he maintained that status at the Linden Weightlifting Championships.
Barker opened his own gym (Upper Demerara Barbel Club) in 1978 and while he did not receive any formal training to qualify as an instructor, Barker ensured that he read extensively about the weight sports and was the recipient of magazines from his many friends abroad.
He read extensively and kept himself up to date with the changing trends of the sport back then in order to guide those under my care in the right direction.
The Upper Demerara Barbell Club was not limited to gym status and it quickly developed into a club where all athletes attended for weights.
With this new dimension to an already bright career, Barker became an inspirational coach and guide to many athletes in Linden, among  them were track and field athletes, cyclists, boxers, table tennis players and footballers.
Speaking with Kaieteur News during an interview where he was featured as our Special Person on Sunday July 11, 2010. Reflecting on his innumerable experiences and searching for what perhaps could be the highlight of his career as a gym coach/instructor, Barker said international middle distance track star Marian Burnett stands out in this regard.
“She is certainly one of the highlights for me. Many had given up on her after she had an accident. You know how many people said to me that I was wasting time with her? But I said to them once she can walk, I will work with her. She started to train, and trained hard, and went on to win the Ms. Guyana Physique competition in 1998 before going on to blossom on the track. The rest is history.
I have a letter that Marian wrote to me saying thanks. When I read it, it brings tears to my eyes with what she says, thanking me for what I have done for her when all was down and I stood there for her, Barker had recalled.”
Many bodybuilders, powerlifters and other athletes were shaped into champions and top performers through Barker’s dedication, among them Mr. Guyana Reford Campbell, Woodly Richmond, Terrence Alli, Elton Jefford and veteran bodybuilder Lindie Sharpe among others.
Some of the other strongmen associated with the club include the well known Colin ‘Mr. Clean’ Chesney, who Barker believes is one of the strongest he has ever seen. Robin Sancho, Charles Henry.
Current Mr. Guyana bodybuilding king Clint Duke, Adrian Amsterdam, Terry Ambrose and John Gravesande are also among Barker’s protégés.
Barker holds strongly to the view that his club has produced the strongest men in the country, noting that they have broken the most records at any competition in Guyana.
He was honoured by the National Sports Commission on March 6, 2006, for his outstanding contributions.
He had noted that it was a tremendous honour for him to have been recognized for his contributions and was very elated to be rubbing shoulders on the National Cultural Centre stage with the likes of Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Andrew ‘Six Head’ Lewis among others.
Samuel Meertins-Barker will surely be missed by thousands of Guyanese in his hometown of linden and many more in the Diaspora.
Kaieteur Sport would like to extend sincere sympathy to the family and relatives of the late Samuel Barker; May his souls rest in peace.

---

---