14th Pan American & 7th Cari. P’lifting C/ships...New GPC sponsors ‘Big’ John Edwards; GAPF wants Min. Anthony to step up

14th Pan American & 7th Cari. P’lifting C/ships…New GPC sponsors ‘Big’ John Edwards; GAPF wants Min. Anthony to step up

Jun 23, 2013 Sports

One of Guyana’s most accomplished strongmen, ‘Big’ John Edwards, has received sponsorship for the upcoming 14th Pan American and 7th Caribbean Powerlifting Championships, July 1 – 7 in Orlando, Florida USA.
Pharmaceutical giants, New GPC Inc., at their Farm Head Office on Friday last renewed their partnership with the 2012 National Sports Commission, Association of the Year – Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation (GAPF).
According to the GAPF, from 2008 to present, Super Heavyweight

Ms. Livasti Bhooplall flanked by strongmen ‘Big’ John Edwards (left) and Winston ‘Little Master’ Stoby.

Edwards (120kg weight class) has been competing in both the open and Masters categories at the Caribbean, North American, Pan American and South American levels and has the phenomenal distinction of being undefeated barring a single bronze medal which he obtained at the 2011 World Masters championships.
Edwards, will be using next month’s championships as warm up for this year’s World Masters championships along with fellow gym mate and reigning 74kg weight class World Masters and Deadlift record holder Winston ‘Little Master’ Stoby who also received sponsorship from New GPC last year.
New GPC Marketing Associate Ms. Livati Bhooplall commented: “We are extremely pleased and happy to play a role in the development of the Sport of Powerlifting which has performed outstandingly on the International stage in so short a time, 2008 to now. I wish to encourage others to come on board and support this team to make this participation a reality as they represent the Nation with distinction on the World stage. We take this opportunity to wish them the best.”
GAPF President, Peter Green was loud in praise for the significant gesture of GPC which he said was timely as with just one week to go, the federation has only met the half way mark of $2M.
He noted that they {GAPF} still needs to cover accommodation, drug testing, participation fees and meals.
And in a last ditch effort to ensure that Guyana has full representation, another fundraising Bar-B-Que was held at Corriverton, Berbice.
Green stated that the federation will be leaving no stones unturned and are hoping that the Hon. Minister of Sport will honor his promises made when the team returned home last year with the Caribbean Men’s Team Title as well as predominantly Individual Gold medals and records.
This time around Team Guyana has the added bonus of vying for the Pan American Men’s Team honors on account of fielding a full strength team as compared to previous years when a depleted team represented due to the lack of financial support.
Over eleven (11) of the Region’s top teams from North, Central, the Caribbean and South America will be vying for top honors.
Guyana simply should not be left at home with this magnificent opportunity which sees them lifting just once in each lift for the chance of simultaneously medaling in two International championships as well as the opportunity to enter the 2013 World Rankings based on their totals.
With the American Embassy already issuing the entire team with visas, the GAPF is making another plea to the business community and the Minister of Culture Youth and Sport Dr. Frank Anthony to step and support this successful national unit.