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GAPLF Senior Nationals Space Gym’s Junica Pluck going for Overall glory
By Franklin Wilson
The most anticipated event on the powerlifting calendar, the Senior championships is to be contested on Sunday at the Saints Stanislaus College Auditorium, Brickdam from 10:00hrs; this would also be the year ending competition for the Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation (GAPLF).
Junica Pluck in competitive mode.
The nation’s best athletes in both the male and female categories will be on show as they not only seek to out lift each other but will also be staking claim to be part of the national team for overseas competitions in 2019.
Former bodybuilding (Miss Bikini 2015) contestant turn powerlifter, Ms Junica Pluck whose first competition in her new sport was back in February of this year, will be one to watch this Sunday as she not only aims to win the 63kg Class but has her sights set on taking the top female accolade.
Having passed through the ranks so to speak, Novices in February them the Intermediate segment of the federation’s calendar in May where she ruled the roost in the 63kg category with a Best Squat of 135kg; Bench Pressed 67.5kg and a Deadlift of 132.5kg; Ms Pluck believes that the time is opportune for her to step up to the marquee stage and make it big in her still young career.
“I’ve been training for this senior powerlifting competition for the past six months. Working and training sometimes can be a bit exhausting as everyone knows, working from 08:30hrs to 16:30hrs then training after daily. I’m self motivated and this is a sport that I love so I get to the gym regardless of how I’m feeling. A wise friend once told me, “just put it on the back burner J and get training out of the way,” and ever since, that thought is in my head every day.”
It is not yet known if there would be other females contesting Pluck’s category but there would certainly be other females suiting up for the platform including the likes of Natoya Robinson and Runita White who are set to make history as they both would be contesting the 84+kg category. The Babb sisters, Grace and Blossom are also expected to be in the limelight.
White was the Best Lifter at this year’s Intermediate Championships with Robinson taking the similar title at this year’s Raw Nationals.
Pluck said she is looking forward to Sunday’s challenge and has some words of encouragement for other females contemplating of joining the sport: “Lifting weights will not make you look manly. Weights will just enhance your femininity in every regard including toning your legs and arms. I encourage all the females out there to get involved in any form of sporting activity because it is also a healthy lifestyle and it doesn’t have to be Powerlifting; you don’t have to compete.”
Among the male athletes set to add more fire to the day’s proceedings which is anticipated to be fierce are 2018 NAPF Overall Champion Carlos Petterson, Vijai Rahim, 93kg junior sensation Bishen Sasenarine and 2018 Novices Overall champ Timothy Bagla and Noel Cummings the nation’s oldest competing athlete.
Sponsors are Buddy’s Gym, Fitness Express, Trophy Stall and Dyna’s Embroidery. Meanwhile, participating athletes for Flight ‘A’ are required to be at the venue for 08:00hrs for the weigh-in which will last until 09:30hrs for this Flight. Athletes competing in Flight B will be weighed in from 11:30 hrs.
Tickets cost $1,000 and can be purchased directly from GAPLF Executive Members, or Buddy’s Gym. The entrance fee at the gate for this event will be $1,500.
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