Powerlifters look to make mark on international stage

Aug 25, 2011 Sports

Fresh upon the heels its gold medal winning lifters performing successfully upon the Caribbean and North American Regional levels, the Guyana amateur Powerlifting Federation declares it’s belief and confidence that the time is now ripe for an assault at the highest level on the World Stage.

John Edwards

Two of Guyana’s most decorated senior Power lifters Winston Stoby and Big John Edwards are scheduled to take on the best of the rest of World at the upcoming IPF (International Powerlifting Federation) World Masters Power lifting Championships in the City of St. Catherine, Canada from September 26 to October 4.
For John “Big John” Edwards competing in by far the tougher of the two competing categories (the 120kg / 265lb M1 weight class), the undefeated local open as well as masters heavyweight Champion with a remarkable international record of also being undefeated at the Caribbean, Regional as well as Pan American level since 2008, this will be the biggest challenge and crowning achievement of his career.
Ranked at no. 7 in his weight class for the championship with a total of 860kg / 1,896lbs as against the favorite with a total of 922kgs / 2,033lbs Big John is expected to go all out as he has been posting totals of 925kgs / 2,039lbs in the gym. Of significance is the fact he will become the first Guyanese Power lifter to officially break the 2,000lb total lifts barrier in the history of the local sport.
For Winston “little Master” Stoby the wheel will be turning full circle.
In 1996 lifting at the IPF Pan American Championships in Hampton Canada, Winston Stoby captured Guyana’s first gold medal in the individual dead lift as well as setting the then record of 600lbs. The 2010 Caribbean as well as CAC Open and NAPF Regional gold medalist in the 74kg / 163lb weight class, Stoby is currently ranked in the no. 1 position at the championships with a total of 655kgs / 1,442lbs with his nearest challenger being listed at 620kgs / 1,367lbs. However Winston recorded a total of 663kgs / 1,462lbs at the recently held local masters’ championships here.
Both lifters have been gradually increasing their totals and are expected to peak for the Championship. Both categories will feature 14 of the world’s best lifters each.

Winston Stoby

The President of the GAPF has placed his full confidence in the lifters to bring home the bacon. Winston Stoby is ready to fulfill his destiny. So is John Edwards. No stranger to being the underdog as he proved at the 2009 Pan American Championships going into the competition with a ranking of no. 4 and powering his way past the higher ranked lifters to capture the gold. “My lifters will not be there to just take part. They will be there to TAKE APART the opposition. Only an Act of God can stop them!”
Two out of two would be the greatest reward Guyana could ever receive for all the hard work and support by the sponsors, supporters, volunteers and numerous other players whom have contributed and placed their faith in the sport making all of Guyana proud as well as opening the eyes of the Powerlifting world to this little South American country with deep Caribbean and Commonwealth ties.
They are now poised to join Hugh Ross the reigning Mr. Universe Masters Champion as World Champions in their own right! All Guyana should be a part of this moment and assist the locally born and bred lifters with sponsorship. The Federation is appealing to the Corporate as well as private sector to play a significant role and be part of History.
BIOS
Winston “little Master” Stoby – 74kgs / 163lbs weight class
Current Open and Masters M2 category Champion
1996 IPF Pan American Gold Medalist – Open
2010 IPF / NAPF Caribbean Islands Gold Medalist – Masters M2
2010 IPF / NAPF Central American and Caribbean Gold Medalist – Open
2010 IPF / NAPF Regional Gold Medalist – Masters M2

JOHN ‘Big John’ Edwards – 120kgs / 265lbs weight class
Current Open and Masters M1 category champion
2008 IPF / NAPF Regional Gold Medalist (2) – open and Masters M1
2009 IPF / NAPF Caribbean Gold Medalist (2) – open and Masters M1
2009 IPF Pan American Gold Medalist (2) – open and Masters M1
2010 IPF / NAPF Caribbean Gold Medalist (2) – open and Masters M1
2011 IPF / NAPF Caribbean Gold Medalist (2) – open and Masters M1
Contact Nos.
JOHN EDWARDS – 623 6550, WINSTON STOBY – 624 8710