Weightlifting continues to persevere despite though challenges

Dec 28, 2013 Sports

– focus on youth will continue in 2014

By Franklin Wilson
For any sport to be viable, a necessary ingredient has to be athletes and in the weightlifting fraternity it is a well documented fact that this sport has suffered tremendously over the past few years from a dearth

Sheriah Melville

of athletes.
But in spite of this challenge, a major one too, the President, Secretary and executive of the Guyana Amateur Weightlifting Association (GAWA), Frank Tucker and Deion Nurse have been leading a revival of the sport with a heavy emphasis on youth.
In fact, for the year 2013, the association was not able to again run off their senior championships due to obvious reasons but this fact has not deterred the body from pushing ahead with its development, according to Nurse.
The long standing administrator, like his president was re-elected to serve the sport this year until 2015 and they have embarked on a plan to revive the sport. All the necessary ingredients are in place which includes the support of the Pan American and International Weightlifting Federations along with the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA).
Guyana, for some years would have owed affiliations fees to the international bodies but the way is now cleared with the local body being able to pay off its debt of US$3,000 earlier this year.
Nurse, in summarizing the year, said that it was significant and successful for GAWA pointing out that the attended the Pan American Weightlifting Federation Symposium for Leaders as well as the Congress held in Houston, Texas in February.
Both President and Secretary attended; the duo also represented Guyana for the first

Darren Williams

time at the World Federation Electoral Congress which took place in Russia in May, a huge plus for Guyana according to Nurse.
As a result of Guyana’s participation at the world congress where the outstanding affiliation fees were paid off, Guyana has been enjoying and will continue to enjoy improved assistance for its development programmes.
During the month of May, GAWA celebrated its 73rd anniversary with a number of events including educational programmes.
In the area of competition, the youths were the focus and in unique circumstances. They themselves created history since they donned national colors in making their respective debuts at any level.
Fourteen year-old Sheriah Melville journeyed to Cancun, Mexico in early September when she competed at the Under-17 Pan American championships, achieving a Snatch of 48kg, Clean and Jerk 62kg for a total of 110kg.
Later in September, Melville was joined by the 15 year-old duo of Darren Williams and Denoila Bristol as part of Guyana’s delegation to the inaugural South American Youth Games which was hosted in Lima, Peru.
Williams and Bristol, like Melville also made their respective debuts at the competitive level.
Williams competed in the 77kg category, Melville in the +63kg division, while Bristol contested the 53kg class. While the athletes didn’t medal, they all achieved personal

Denoila Bristol

bests.
Manager and Senior National Coach Sean Cozier complimented his charges for their brave performances despite the cold weather experienced at the time. He said that they have excellent potential that needs to be honed.
Cozier, himself was a beneficiary of training through the GAWA when he attended a high level Coaching Course in Colorado Springs, August 10 – 15.
The year 2014 will be another interesting year for GASA since they will be aiming to have their senior championships where a number of junior athletes are expected to feature. That apart, Nurse informed that athletes will have lots to aim for at the international level.
GAWA is seeking to send at least one senior athlete to the South American Senior championships set for Chile in March while efforts will also be made to have Guyana represented by at least two junior competitors at Pan American Championships slated for Peru, May 6 – 11.
The Peru championships will also serve as pre-qualifying for the Youth Olympics slated for August 2014 in China.
Nurse on behalf of GAWA extended best wishes to all for a prosperous 2014 while expressing thanks to the Guyana Olympic Association, Banks DIH, The Trophy Stall, JJ’s Fashion, Evergreen Adventures and John Fernandes for their support through the year.