BERBICE power lifters are set to create history with the presence of five young Berbicians on the 2013 National Powerlifting Team set to compete at the Pan American level at the 14th Annual IPF/NAPF/FESUPO Pan American Powerlifting Championships in Orlando, Florida July 1-7.

The five Berbicians are: 2012 Caribbean Champion Gumendra Shewdas (53 kg class and NSC Sports awardee) who will be competing in the Sub Junior/Junior category; Vijai Rahim (59 kg gold medallist and South American silver medallist) now campaigning in the 66kg category; Suraj Shewdas (59 kg) and Fabian Ketwaroo (66 kg) complete the lineup for the Junior team.
They will also be campaigning in the Junior and Open categories of the seventh IPF/NAPF Caribbean Powerlifting Championships segment, which is being held simultaneously.
The fifth Berbician, Anis Ade Thomas, now graduated to the Open category, will be competing in the 83 kg class alongside compatriot Randolph Morgan.
All of the lifters have successfully acquired their U.S. visas and are seeking sponsorship as the Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation, despite hosting some fundraising events, is still substantially short  with just over four weeks remaining to ensure that they send what is their biggest team ever to challenge the best in the Americas.
The added fact that the dual Championships will be offering two prestigious titles for the lifters from one lift makes the championships a must prestigious event.
Guyana Men’s Team are the defending Caribbean Open Champions with the added bonus of adding the Pan American Title to their resumé. Individual cost per lifter has been pegged at US$1600 per athlete.
The president of the Powerlifting Federation has reiterated his confidence in the National Junior and Senior teams keeping the Golden Arrowhead fluttering proudly internationally.
He is also appealing to the Corporate and Private Sectors of Berbice to invest collectively or individually in sponsoring these homegrown athletes from their home county as they pursue to do their Region and Country proud.
Of special note, the president has identified Vijai Rahim (Rosignol) and Gumendra Shewdas (Corriverton) as Guyana’s latest World-rated lifters to watch who will be given the added bonus of attending the World Sub-juniors and Juniors Championships in Killeen, Texas.
Training schedule of the lifters has been intensified with the respective coaches: Egbert Jackson (Total Fitness Corriverton), Farouk Abdool (Hardcore Gym) Rosignol, Mervyn Moses (Buddies Gym) Georgetown among others putting their charges through their programmes.
Spearheaded by an elite list of six high-ranked lifters in a 13-strong squad, the lifters have been described by North American Powerlifting president Robert Keller as formidable.
Substantial assistance last year from the Government of Guyana through a successful appeal to President Donald Ramotar was instrumental in the success of the Guyanese lifters capturing the 2012 Caribbean Men’s Team title as well as a record haul of gold medals.
At last year’s Press Conference to celebrate the success, Minister of Sport Dr Frank Anthony said the Government would support Powerlifting without hesitation on account of the Federation’s achievements. This year’s costs are placed at an estimated US$20 800 for 13 lifters and three officials.
Members of the National Team are expected to be on display to meet the public at the upcoming Masters as well as Intermediate Championships set for June 2 at the University of Guyana Campus.
Lifters Chesney and Barker have been asked to guest-lift to ensure squat techniques and fitness levels have been optimised.

Elite Lifters: Women – Dawn Barker (84kg) – Open Category; Men – Gumendra Shewdas (53kg) – Sub junior/Junior, Vijai Rahim (66kg) – Junior/Open, Winston Stoby (74kg) – Open/Masters, Randolph Morgan (83kg) – Open, John Edwards (120kg) – Open/Masters.