PRESIDENT of the Guyana Amateur Power-lifting Federation (GAPF) Peter Green stated categorically that power-lifting in Guyana owes its success to Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr Frank Anthony.

In an interview with Chronicle Sport, Green said Minister Anthony has done a lot for the development of the sport locally and since his involvement the discipline has seen success over the years that the federation has been under his leadership.
Green, who was never a power-lifter but who got involved in the sport through his brother-in-law John `Big John’ Edwards, said that Edwards was at the helm of the Federation prior to his (Green) taking over the presidency, as he (Green) wanted Edwards to concentrate on his career as an athlete.
Green  says he has no regrets as he has steered local power-lifters to regional and international recognition with at least 15 local lifters winning medals at international events, the latest being  Gumendra Shewdass who became Guyana’s youngest World champion at the recently concluded World Sub Juniors and Juniors Championships that was staged in Killeen, Texas over one week ago.
Shewdass, who competed in the 53kg weight division, squatted 396lb, bench pressed 198lb and dead-lifted 452lb for a total of 1045lb or 475kg to finish ahead of United States of America’s Dalton La Coe (452.5kg) and Russia’s Alexsi Kulakov (437.5kg) in the weight category.
According to Green, Shewdass who hails from Line Path Corentyne is Guyana’s youngest world champion.
“All of our investment in power-lifting has paid off,” Minister Anthony stated on Monday when his Ministry hosted a luncheon at the New Thriving Restaurant in honour of Shewdass’ achievements just over a week ago.
On Tuesday, Shewdass and members of the Guyana Amateur Power-lifting Federation paid a courtesy call on  President Donald Ramotar at the Presidential Comp[ex, where they were congratulated by the President for their achievements over the past few years.
Among those present were: Caribbean and South American medallists Randolph Morgan, Winston Stoby, Edwards, Colin Chesney, Kimberly Mar-loncke, Paul Adams and Anish Ade Thomas.
At the luncheon, Dr Anthony lauded the achievements of the power-lifters and said Shewdass’ achievement is an example of what you can achieve if you persevere.
Dr Anthony promised his Ministry’s full support to the sport in the future, stating that finance has been budgeted for the procurement of standardised weights.
Green thanked the Ministry and many stakeholders for making the sojourn of Shewdass and the power-lifting team a reality.