Dear Editor,

Powerlifting is a sport that continues to struggle for serious recognition among athletes, patrons and corporate sponsors. However, with the continued dedication and commitment of persons who intend to take the sport forward, powerlifting competitions are run off around the country and more and more young amateur athletes are taking up the sport with a deep interest.

Recently a few athletes represented Guyana at the 7th NAPF and 12th FESUPO Pan American Powerlifting Championships held in Miami, Florida. These esteemed athletes are Randolph Morgan, Mervin ‘Spongy’ Moses and the legendary ‘Big’ John Edwards.

They all gave very good accounts of themselves with the two gold and a silver medal they brought home. Big John copped gold in two categories: the Men’s Open 125 kg and the Masters M1 categories. Morgan also tasted gold in the Men’s Open 82.5 kg category, while Mervin ‘Spongy’ Moses got silver in the 75 kg Men’s Open category.

I would personally like to congratulate them on their achievements. Also I would like to congratulate the hard-working President of the Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation, Mr Peter Green and his board of executives and the kind sponsors who managed to field a very competitive team to proudly represent Guyana on the international stage.

As the powerlifting sport continues to grow in Guyana, it is my wish to see more corporate sponsors getting involved so that they can help advance the art, recognition and prestige of powerlifting. This sport must rise and take its rightful place among the other sporting disciplines in Guyana. But this can only happen if the power behind the lifting can come from our kind, corporate community which can work at helping the federation package the sport in a more attractive way, with tangible rewards for those who participate and excel.

Yours faithfully,
Richard Francois