By Stephan Sookram

AS WE embrace the move to gender equality, the sport sphere is not going to be left behind and testimony to that is 16-year-old powerlifter Britny Angela Mack.

The student and daughter of renowned powerlifter Osmond Mack says that she commenced her career after being inspired by a female lifter, Maranda Chambers whom she encountered while touring with her dad.
Speaking to Chronicle Sport, she said, “I began this sport in August of 2014 after being inspired by a strong, 14-year-old young lady whom I met at the Caribbean powerlifting competition.”
“She told me to always aim for what you want and don’t give up and also said she’s expecting to see me where she currently is (a record-holder),” continued Mack.
Using that as a springboard, Mack took to competition earlier this year for the first time at the Guyana Amateur Power Lifting Federation’s Novices Championship where she picked up the Best Female Lifter trophy.
Her father, she noted was a major supporter.
“He was more excited than I was when I told him I wanted to start. He never left my side. He saw potential in me. He encouraged me. As a coach he was very strict and harsh at times but if he wasn’t like that then I won’t have been where I am.”
She moved on to intermediate competition where she also produced a hair-raising performance to take the top spots.
Following that the 52kg sub-junior female was selected to compete internationally in September of this year in Brazil at the Pan American and South American Championships where she achieved both gold and silver medals.
No stranger to international competition by this time and filled to the brim with confidence, the North Georgetown student moved on to the big leagues, the Commonwealth Powerlifting Championship in Canada where she also dominated the class.
She squatted 110kg, benched 45kg and deadlifted 102.5kg.
Admitting to Chronicle Sport that she has a few areas to work on, she continued by saying, “I am honoured to be the first local female sub-junior powerlifter to compete internationally and bring home gold.”
In a message to young females, Mack said, ‘I would just like them to know that it gets challenging, but the feeling you get after achieving it all is so worth it. After you’ve achieved one goal, aim for another. Nothing is impossible unless you see it so and lastly, you’re better than you think you are.
“Oh and we need more female powerlifters. Try something different,” she concluded.