… Adams to make national debut
THE Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation (GAPF) yesterday announced a 10-man team that will contest the 2011 International Powerlifting Federation (IPF)/North American Powerlifting Federation (NAPF) Championships to be held in the Cayman Islands from March 15 to 19.
According to president of the GAPF, Peter Greene, the team is a blend of new and tried lifters and includes debutant Paul Adams who will be competing in the 67.5kg category, while John ‘Big John’ Edwards has decided to step aside to give Linden’s Colin Chesney a chance, but will act in the capacity of coach for the team.
“This time around, in order for Guyana to retain their team title, we have to have at least nine members on the team and the one we have selected to compete in the upcoming tournament is a mixture of youth and experience, as well as a blend of new and tried lifters.
Both ‘Big John’ Edwards and Winston Stoby would not be a part of the team, as the GAPF aims to have them compete in the world championships which will be held in Canada in September of next year, so those selected on the team for the championships in the Cayman Islands have the opportunity to shine for Guyana.”
He added; “Only Canada’s John McDonald who has a total of 900kg, stands between ‘Big John’ and the title once again and certainly that’s no humbug for Edwards as he can easily achieve that total and come away victorious, so the GAPF has decided to invest in having both Edwards and Stoby compete in the world championships, so they are under the ‘cotton wool’ for now.”
Greene called on corporate Guyana to emulate Banks DIH who, through their Power Stout brand, has been sponsoring numerous championships held under the auspices of the GAPF, but cited a lack of finance that may hamper the full 10-man squad from competing in the Cayman Islands.
“I think our performances at the last IPF/NAPF championships held right here in Guyana, spoke for itself as we defeated all and sundry to cart off the team title. Certainly, I am confident that this team can do well, but in order for us to do so, corporate Guyana would have to come on board with us.
“We know for sure that Banks DIH, to whom we are grateful for their support, is behind us and I am calling on other corporate entities to follow Banks DIH and give us their support. We will make you proud and that’s a guarantee,” stated Greene.
Greene further stated that the team comprised individuals who are record-holders in their respective weight divisions and that is one of the reasons his confidence is high when it comes to their performances at the championships.
Banks DIH”s Power Stout brand manager Jeoff Clements lauded the GAPF for successfully hosting the senior championships and while stating he was not fully au fait with the sport, he did mention his company’s desire to maintain their relationship with the governing body.
Apart from Adams, the other nine members of the team with their division in brackets are: Juniors – Vijay Rahim (65kg), Anais’ Ad Thomas (82.5) and Kenneth Melville (110kg), Men’s Open Rahim (56kg), Wazim Imamdeen (60kg), Adams (67.5 kg), Karell Mars (100 kg), Farouk Abdool (110 kg) and Colin Chesney (125 kg) with Randolph Morgan being subjected to medical approval, failing which Ad Thomas will compete in the 82.5kg.
Meanwhile, the GAPF took the time to distribute the best lifter and its two runners-up trophies to the respective recipients in Mars who had a co-efficient bodyweight of 474.33, Chesney (453.22) and Adams (448.15) with Kingsrow Gym being adjudged the best gym with 69 points from Hardcore, Total Fitness, Buddy’s and Upper Demerara Barbell Club.
The 2006 Women’s Open champion Dawn Barker, who became the first local female lifter to deadlift over 400 lb, was named the best female lifter.