The Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation (GAPF) starts off their year with the hosting of the annual Novices and Junior National Powerlifting Championships in Corriverton, Corentyne, Berbice on February 20.
According to a release from the GAPF, several new lifters are expected to debut in the novice, sub-junior (18 years and under), junior (19-23 years) and the open (over 23) categories. However, one of the main clashes will be between juniors Anis Ade Thomas of Berbice and Kenneth Melville.
Thomas is the Caribbean 2010 junior silver medallist while Melville is the North American Regional junior silver medallist of Essequibo. The winner of this epic showdown will find himself on the national team for the fifth annual Caribbean Powerlifting Championships, which are scheduled for the Cayman Islands in March.
Another clash is anticipated between Caribbean gold medallist John ‘Big John” Edwards and national heavyweight champion Colin ‘Mr. Clean’ Chesney. Both lifters, who have a healthy rivalry brewing, will be looking to produce their best showing since both are expected to compete in the Cayman Islands.
Both heavyweights will be attempting to become the first Guyanese to break the 800lb/362.81kgs barrier.
Meanwhile, weigh-in time for the competition is 10:30 hours and competition begins at 11:30 hours.
Transportation will be provided by the federation for lifters and bona fide supporters desirous of travelling to Corriverton. The assembly point will be the Linden Bus Park on Hadfield Street and departure time is 08:00 hours.
Squat barrier: Edwards currently has the national squat record of 771.75lbs/350.0kgs; Chesney’s best official attempt, set at the 2010 Senior Championships, is 744.18/337.5kgs.
The new weight categories as fixed by the International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) were put into effect on January 1, 2011. They are: Women 43kg (Sub junior and junior), 52kg, 57kg, 63kg, 72kg, 84, 84+kg
Men: 53kg (Sub junior and junior), 59kg, 66kg, 74kg, 83kg, 93kg, 105kg, 120kg, 120+kgs.
