The 10th Annual International Powerlifting Federation / North American Regional Powerlifting Championships is set to power off today at the Westin Hotel, George Town, Grand Cayman Islands with Guyana’s hopes of medaling pinned on Anis Ade-Thomas, the reigning Under-23 Caribbean 83kg class Gold Medalist.

Initially, the Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation (GAPF) had selected a two man team based on the outstanding exploits of the two athletes {Ade-Thomas and Vijay Rahim} at the Caribbean Championships held in March this year.
Thomas, who is also the Junior Best Lifter Overall at the Caribbean level as well as Commonwealth Junior Record Holder (dead lift 292.5kg), like Rahim, hails from the Ancient County of Berbice.

He is scheduled to leave Guyana tomorrow for Grand Cayman and will join GAPF Vice President Gordon Spencer, who left Guyana on Monday to attend the World Anti Doping Agency sponsored symposium that started yesterday.
Rahim, a Caribbean double Gold Medalist and Commonwealth Junior 59kg Record holder (dead lift 225kgs) had to withdraw from the competition due to his employer, GUYSUCO not affording him the time off with pay to train and travel to represent his country.

Spencer, who was successful at the recent Referee’s Course – IPF Category II Level – in March is also scheduled to make his debut at the Championships as Guyana’s first locally based International Powerlifting Referee.
Both Thomas and Spencer are attending this championship fully sponsored by the GAPF.

A look at the Final starting list in the Men’s line up for the 59kg U/23 Category has Ricky Hu of Guatemala as the front runner with a total of 365kgs. (Rahim’s total in the Caribbean Championships was 507kgs).

In the 83kg Category, Thomas is listed as the No. 2 favourite behind the reigning NAPF Champion Conway Brookes of the USA. An epic battle is anticipated between these two athletes. Fans can follow the action which will be streamed live via the following link – http://www.ustrea.tvchannel/napfregionals2012 or live scoring link http://napf.no-ip.org.

Meanwhile, despite missing out on the above championships, Vijai Rahim is set to represent Guyana at the South American Powerlifting Championships scheduled for Cali Columbia from August 15- 20, 2012.

This will be his {Rahim} debut at this level, a much tougher class and he will represent Guyana along with the legendary ‘Big’ John Edwards who will also being taking the IPF Referee’s Category II exams apart from competing.

According to the GAPF, in keeping with the mandate of the IPF, Guyana has been placed in the South American bloc and will therefore be making her maiden appearance this year with the GAPF President slated to address the Congress which will be graced by the presence of the top ranking officials of the IPF who are streamlining preparations for Powerlifting’s presence at the 2013 World Games billed for Cali Colombia.

With Rahim’s inclusion on the team to Colombia, the federation is saddled with significant expenses having to deal with accommodation and meals for the athlete. The GAPF has said that it is quietly confident that with about three weeks to go, the Berbice well wishers will throw their full weight behind Rahim in assisting the well deserving athlete to achieve his potential at the International level.

Monetary donations are being accepted by the GAPF on behalf of the athletes.
The GAPF said that once again it reasserts its proven track record of proudly nominating and delivering top two podium finishers at International Championships to date, finances permitting.

For more on this story go to:

http://www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/2012/07/25/ade-thomas-is-lone-athlete-gordon-spencer-to-debut-as-guyanas-1st-referee/