– needs $190,000 to cover airfare

The Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation (GAPF) while trying its utmost to raise the required funds to have its premier athletes bring more glory to Guyana, is still short of funds to, in the first instance, enable Commonwealth deadlift record holder Anis Ade-Thomas to attend the 10th Annual International Powerlifting Federation/NAPF North American Regional Powerlifting Championships set for George Town, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, July 24 – 28, 2012.

The GAPF on Sunday last held a fund raising bar-b-que that was successful.
Previous articles highlighting the plight of another premier lifter, Vijai Rahim who has been encountering difficulty in getting time off with pay from his employer Guysuco bore fruit when the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club took up the challenge to assist Rahim to ensure he can train for the South American Championships in Columbia, August 15 -20, 2012.

Rahim, who will be in Columbia along with ‘Big’ John Edwards was the first choice pick for the NAPF Regionals but the lack of support from Guysuco prevented him from representing Guyana; the GAPF then picked Ade-Thomas top replace him {Rahim}.

Ade-Thomas, like Rahim, hails from the Ancient County of Berbice and is a member of the Total Fitness Gym located at Corriverton. The 23-year-old lifter is the current Commonwealth deadlift (292.5 kg) record holder in the 83kg class.
While he has replaced Rahim, Ade-Thomas he is still in need of assistance to attend and according to the GAPF, he is short of G$190,000 which is the cost for his airfare.

Ade-Thomas actually pipped Rahim for best lifter (junior) overall award tallying 455 points to Rahim’s 451. He is coached by Egbert Jackson, a tireless, and dedicated trainer who has produced a number of outstanding lifters.

Following are some stats on Anis Ade-Thomas:
International Record – 83kg weight class
2010 – Gold Medalist Men Juniors ( 2012 – Gold Medalist Men Juniors ( 2012 – Best lifter (Men Juniors) Overall Title Caribbean C/Ships – USVI (edged Rahim 455.55 Wilkes points to 451.11).
Caribbean Record Holder (Men Juniors) – Squat 252.5kgs / Deadlift 292.5kgs / Total 672.5kgs
Commonwealth Record Holder – Dead lift 292.5kgs in the 83kg weight class – Junior category.

Ade-Thomas is expected to place in the top three among the best lifters in North America, Central America and the Caribbean.
What is interesting to note is the fact that the current Caribbean and Commonwealth deadlift record of 292.5kg (held by Ade-Thomas) exceeds the Current North American and Central American record of 265kgs.
This will be Ade-Thomas’ final year as a junior and he is aiming to go out with a bang by destroying all and sundry in the Cayman Islands.
Any company or individual wishing to assist Anis Ade-Thomas and Vijay Rahim can do so by contacting the Secretary of President of the GAPF or call 619 5725.

For more information go to:

http://www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/2012/07/13/ade-thomas-still-short-of-for-10th-napf-regionals-gapf/