Another successful year for Powerlifting

Jan 04, 2015 Sports

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…Exco aiming for more success in 2015
Powerlifting in Guyana has continued its success story under the guidance of Peter Green and a committed

band of Executive members. Despite many challenges, the Guyana Amateur Powerlifting federation (GAPF) has continued to soar on the local, Caribbean, Regional and International scenes.
The GAPF began 2014 in fine style when their oldest competing athlete, the cool and calm
Winston Stoby was named the 2013 National Sports Commission Runner-up Sportsman of the year. The local strongmen and women also started the year as the reigning Caribbean and Regional Open Powerlifting Team Champions for 2013/14.
According to President Green, when compared to the outstanding years of 2009 – 2013, last year  could well be best characterized as very challenging with the Federation’s priority issues encompassing those at an administrative level, curtailing of international participation, total emphasis on regrouping with strict anti-doping awareness / education measures put in place for its lifters, sourcing of funding and reduction of financial debts incurred as a result of an anti-doping violation by one of its lifters in 2013.
Nevertheless, Green is of the view that as a result of a committed bunch of administrators, they have been able to weather the storm and continue its journey on the path to more success. Last year’s (2014) goals were revised and successfully achieved.
Participation in the Sport since its resuscitation in 2008 after many years in the doldrums, continues to enjoy steady if not spectacular growth with the GAPF successfully running off its five local

championships consisting of the Novices, Sub Juniors and Juniors (April); Intermediate and Claude Charles Memorial for Masters athletes (June) and the Senior National Open (November).
Many new and promising lifters made their debuts alongside of the more established lifters in both the male and female categories. Outstanding amongst these lifters for 2014 were Andrea Smith (57kg), Chloe Hunter (57kg) and Natoya Robinson 84+kg in the women’s categories.
Kevin Brijlall 59kg (Sub Juniors), Vijai Rahim 66kg (Juniors and Open), Roger Calendar 83kg (Open, Novices and Intermediate), Anis Ade Thomas 83kg (Open Seniors), Farouk Abdool 120kg (Open Seniors) and Guyana’s only world record holder / former World Champion Winston Stoby (Masters).
Internationally
The GAPF selected a six-man National Men’s Open team of mainly inexperienced lifters for the Caribbean Championships and they team performed beyond expectations by surprising the Nation with all the team members medaling.
Gold medalists were Osmond Mack (74kg), Germaine Snagg (83kg) and Dan Mariano (93kg). Silver medalists were Paul Adams (74kg), Karel Mars (105kg) and the lone bronze medalist,

Erwyn Smith in the 83kg class.
The athletes lifted with pride and determination and were outstandingly as they collectively and individually kept the Golden Arrow head flying despite relinquishing the team title to a strong eight-man Puerto Rico team to place second with the US Virgin Islands in third and Trinidad and Tobago fourth.
Guyanese Powerlifters continued to make their presence felt with records in various lifts in the various weight classes within the affiliated bodies headed by the International Powerlifting Federation being maintained or broken.
Current listed International Record Holders (Equipped Powerlifting):
International Powerlifting
World Men Masters Category two – 74kg weight class Winston Frank Stoby Deadlift 277.5kgs;
Commonwealth Powerlifting
Men’s Sub Junior category – 53kg weight class Gumendra Shewdas squat 192.5kg, deadlift 207.5kg, total 497.5kg;
Men Junior Category – Gumendra Shewdas deadlift 207.5kg;
Men Masters category one – 74kg weight class Winston Frank Stoby deadlift 277.5kg;
Men Masters Category two – 74kg weight class Winston Frank Stoby squat 255kg, deadlift 277.5kg and total 667.5kg;
South American Powerlifting
Men Open category – 83kg weight class Randolph Morgan deadlift 330kgs;
Sub Junior category – 53kg weight class Gumendra Shewdas squat 192.5kg, Deadlift 207.5kgs, total 497.5kgs;
Masters One category – 120kg weight class John Edwards squat 220kgs;
74kg weight class Winston Frank Stoby deadlift 277.5kgs;
Masters Two category – 74kg weight class Winston Frank Stoby squat 255kgs, deadlift 277.5kgs, total 667.5kgs;
Caribbean Powerlifting
Women Open category – 84+kg weight class Dawn Barker squat 240kgs;
Men’s Junior category – 53kg weight class Gumendra Shewdas squat 192.5kg, Bench 77.50kg, Deadlift 207.5kg and Total 497.5kg;
66kg weight class Vijai Rahim squat 250kg, Deadlift 250kg, Total 627.5kg;
83kg weight class Anis Ade Thomas squat 252.5kg, Deadlift 292.5kg, Total 672.5kg;
105kg weight class Kenneth Melville Squat 282.5kg, Bench 155kg, Deadlift 257.5kg, Total 695kg
Men Open Category
59kg weight class Vijai Rahim Deadlift 225kg;
66kg weight class Vijai Rahim squat 250kg, Deadlift 250kg, Total 627.5kg;
74kg weight class Osmond Mack squat 255kg;
74kg weight class Winston Frank Stoby deadlift 267.5kg Total 645.5kg;
83kg weight class Randolph Morgan squat 300, Bench 220kg, Deadlift 330kg, Total 837.5kg;
Men Masters One Category
74kg weight class Winston Frank Stoby squat 255kg, Bench 137.5kg, deadlift 277.5kg Total 670kg;
120kg weight class John Edwards squat 350kg, bench 220kg, Total 860kg;
Men Masters two category
74kg weight class Winston Frank Stoby squat 255kg, Bench 137.5kg, deadlift 277.5kg Total 670kg;
83kg weight class Winston Frank Stoby squat 255kg, Bench 137.5kg, deadlift 277.5kg Total 670kg;
93kg weight class Errol Henry deadlift 242.5kg;
Success in any sport be it at the athlete or administrative level owes a lot to the support of the corporate community, government and individuals. The GAPF would like to recognize all those who would have contributed in their own way towards the continued success of the body.
Those coming in for high praise are Fitness Express, United Mega Store, Trophy Stall, Ansa McAl, Government of Guyana through the Ministry of Sports and the National Sports Commission and a number of individuals all combining to help sustain the sport during 2014 and for this President Green says the federation and its membership remains eternally grateful and hope it will continue in 2015.
Projection for 2015
With the planned introduction this year of two events of the fast growing and popular sport of RAW (Unequipped), powerlifting is expected to see an anticipated greater turn out in numbers by both male and females.
Simultaneously the commencement of the training for a group of blind and visually impaired male lifters from the Blind Society in January will see the sport truly representative of all ages as well as athletes with disabilities paving the way for others to have the opportunity to attain eventual qualification and participation at the Special Olympics and World Blind Championships.
Growth inevitably leads towards increased demands for additional equipment and a base of operations of which the GAPF is currently devoid. With the international recognition now being enjoyed through the achievements of the lifters as well as the excellent working relationships established with the IPF (International Powerlifting Federation), NAPF (North American Powerlifting Federation), CPF (Commonwealth Powerlifting Federation) and the FESUPO (South American Powerlifting Federation), Green says that it is anticipated that the Ministry of Sport will soon be releasing three additional sets of complete Powerlifting equipment to reinforce the federation’s ability to host International events at home allowing not only the sport but the hospitality sector to benefit and grow via Sports Tourism through the influx of international competitors, supporters and accompanying media.
Guyana is set to host the Caribbean Championships in late March.
Green, who has been serving as President of the GAPF since 2008, says he feels honored to have been at the helm whilst guiding the body to its many outstanding achievements and accomplishments as well as challenges.
He is of the view that much more needs to be done as the federation strives to ensure there is no repeat of the negativity from the anti-doping issues. He took the opportunity to wish his fellow executive members, gyms, athletes, supporters and well-wishers a Blessed 2015.

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