WHEN World Open Powerlifting Championships gold medallist Randolph ‘The Accomplisher’ Morgan paid a courtesy call on Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr Frank Anthony yesterday, he was charged to

use his status to influence other athletes.
“I just want to extend the Ministry’s and Government’s congratulations to Morgan. We had no doubt that he would have gone out there and become a champion for us, since the power-lifters in Guyana are making a name not only for this country, but also putting the Caribbean on the map in terms of power-lifting,” stated Dr Anthony.
He reflected on the past going back a few years ago, where no one expected Guyana to excel in this sport, but against all odds they did so, based on the calibre of athletes that the country has produced, such as Morgan and John ‘Big John’ Edwards.
“We would like to congratulate him for all the efforts. As the president of the Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation (GAPF) (Peter Greene) said earlier, Morgan had a lot more to offer and I am sure he will be demonstrating that in future tournaments.
“We are very proud and pleased with his performance at the championships, even though he was hindered by Hurricane Sandy which resulted in his being delayed in New York and having to travel to Puerto Rico one day before the championships lifted off.”
Dr Anthony added, “I hope that you will use your status as a world champion to influence other young athletes and to get them more involved in the sport. I think this is a sport we have demonstrated our ability to do well and I want you to take up that role in maybe mentoring some of the younger sportsmen who are involved in the sport, as they will look up to you and we want you to use your star power to get more persons involved in the sport.”
Overcoming an unexpected delay caused by Hurricane Sandy to his goal of competing at the World Open Powerlifting Championships, Morgan captured the gold medal in the dead lift, mere hours after arriving for the competition earlier this month.
Competing in Puerto Rico, Morgan had a commanding lift of 330kg/727.65lb to cop the medal ahead of Bulgaria’s Todor Vasilev (325kg/716.62lb) and Ecuador’s Jose Castillo (322.5kg/711.11lb), after Morgan and his accompanying coach, Denroy Livan were left stranded in New York, with no hope of arriving in Aguadilla Puerto Rico the same day.
However, frantic efforts by the Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation’s (GAPF) official travel agent, Millennia Travel Agency, saw the duo re-routing to San Juan on the first available flight and they arrived in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, leaving Morgan with just under nine hours to get himself in ready condition for competition.
The rest is now history, as the Guyana Police Force Corporal showed that the minor hiccups were a mere road hump on his road to success, as he took the top podium spot, while the Golden Arrowhead was proudly flown behind him.
According to Greene, Morgan was the lighter lifter in his category and when he was chosen, he had no thoughts of him coming out on top, after analysing 18 of 64 worlds’ best, Morgan was ranked at number 16.
“He actually was able to keep up with the lifters despite all odds and went into his pet event, the dead lift where he churned out a creditable performance, firmly establishing his name as Guyana and the Caribbean’s dead lift champion,” said Greene.
Asked to comment on his achievements, Morgan said he felt pleased and privileged to represent his country.
“It’s an honour to represent your country. Very rare, athletes like us get an opportunity to do that and being given the privilege to do so, I decided to go out there and give it my best irrespective of the circumstances,” said Morgan.
Asked what is next on his calendar, the short but powerfully built power-lifter said he has his eyes on next year’s Pan American Games which will beheld in July, along with the World Powerlifting Championships and the Commonwealth Games that is set for New Zealand, but for now, he is basking in the glory of his accomplishments.