Juniors, Novices powerlifters in action at Blairmont tomorrow

By Emmerson Campbell

The Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation (GAPF) will open its 2012 competition season with the annual Junior and Novices Powerlifting competition tomorrow at the Blairmont Primary School. The event, which will attract the crème de le crème of the country’s young and first-time lifters, will be the first of four local events on the 2012 calendar.

Weigh-in for the competition starts at 8am while the lifting will begin at 11.30am.

In the Junior and Sub Junior category, last year’s novices champion Gumendra Shewdas from Total Fitness Gym (TFG) is expected to compete along with Fabian Ketwaroo (TFG), and Hardcore Gym’s (HG) Kevin Bridgelall in the 53kgs category while Suraj Shewdas (TF), Christopher Sankar (HG)and Vijay Rahim (HG)will do battle in the 59kgs division. Anis Aide Thomas (HC) will compete in the 83kgs division.

Sohail Hussein in action.

Tomorrow’s competition should be a preview of what Guyana has to offer at the Caribbean championships as the Shewdas brothers along with Thomas and Rahim will represent Guyana at the Caribbean Championships next month in St Thomas, USVI. The Novices category will see the likes of Sohail Hussain from the Flex Gym (FG) in the 53kgs division and Darius Hinds in the 74kgs division. In the 74 kgs division,  Ayube Bacchus, Erwyn Smith, Javed Kyume, Thyrone Embosie and Sven Brown all from Zahiff’s Gym will be in action. Jimmy McDonald from the GMR&SC gym will also compete in that division. In the 93kgs division, Denroy Livan and Christopher Richards also from Zahiff’s Gym will do battle. Livan, who is also the Public Relations Officer of the GAPF, disclosed that the federation will be making reservations to accommodate persons who are not from regular gyms to compete in the championships tomorrow. He also highlighted that the federation will be expecting keen competition from the lifters who will be vying for trophies especially in the 74kgs weight class. Livan pointed out that the championship is being held out of the city to create awareness of the sport throughout the country.

He further disclosed that the GAPF will also be holding a competition in Linden to pay homage to the Senior Female Sports personality of the year Dawn Barker.