– Petterson-Griffith, Abrigo are overall male and female champs
The 2023 edition of the Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation’s (GAPLF’s) Raw Nationals was held last Sunday at the National Gymnasium, where a total of 18 athletes, including 5 females, entertained the small but appreciative gathering. A total of 16 records were reset on that day.
At the end of the two flights of competition, Guyana’s marquee lifter Carlos Petterson-Griffith, competing for the first time in the 105kg Men’s Open category, won the three-way battle against Tremel King and Paul Meusa for the gold medal, and added the Overall Best Lifter Accolade along with a Fitness Express hamper.
In crafting victory, Petterson-Griffith also set new squat, deadlift, and total records. His best squat was 310.0kg (683.433lb), bench press was 165.0kg, deadlift was 350.0kg (771.618lb), total of 825.0kg (1818.814lb).
The Overall Best Male and Female lifters showcasing their silverware in the presence of sponsors
The Female Best Overall Lifter trophy and Fitness Express hamper went to Keisha Abrigo, who won gold in the 76kg Women’s Open Raw competition. Abrigo, too, was in record-breaking mode, setting new standards in the squat, deadlift, and total. She recorded 162.5kg (358.251lb) in the squat, bench press 75.0kg, deadlift 200.0kg (440.925lb), and a total of 437.5kg (964.523lb).
The GAPLF is expressing gratitude to the following sponsors for making the event a success: Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport; National Sports Commission; Fitness Express, Space Gym, E-Master Corporation, Sunny & Sweetie Roti Shop, Unity Cabs & Unity Gym, Dr. Billy Mack/Eye Wear Optical, Chung’s Global Inc., Prudential, Dr. Harry Hanoman and Associates-Giftland Mall.
The five females who competed at the GAPLF Raw Nationals are, from right: Xusha Stoll, Kezia Joseph, Keisha Abrigo, Junica Pluck, and Kean Andrews
Full list of winners in class:
Female Winners
1st 69kg Women’s Open Raw – Junica Pluck, Squat 142.5kg, Bench press 78.0kg, Deadlift 155.0kg, Total 375.5kg
2nd 69kg Women’s Open Raw – Kezia Joseph, Squat 127.5kg, Bench press 55.0kg, Deadlift 165.0kg, Total 347.5kg
3rd 69kg Women’s Open Raw – Xusha Stoll, Squat 117.5kg, Bench press 62.5kg, Deadlift 145.0kg, Total 325.0kg
1st 76kg Women’s Open Raw – Keisha Abrigo, Squat 162.5kg, Bench press 75.0kg, Deadlift 200.0kg, Total 437.5kg
1st 84+kg Women’s Open Raw – Kean Andrews, Squat 137.5kg, Bench press 85.0kg, Deadlift 172.5kg, Total 395.0kg
Male Winners
1st 74kg Men’s Junior Raw – Meshach Alexander, Squat 147.5kg, Bench press 85.0kg, Deadlift 170.0kg, Total 402.5kg
1st 93kg Men’s Junior Raw – Wazeer Hussein, Squat 227.5kg, Bench press 173.0kg, Deadlift 265.0kg, Total 665.5kg
1st 120+kg Men’s Junior Raw – Yogaishawar Seecharan, Squat 230.5kg, Bench press 115.0kg, Deadlift 230.0kg, Total 575.5kg
1st 59kg Men’s Open Raw – Dwayne Welch, Squat 147.5kg, Bench press 92.5kg, Deadlift 175.0kg, Total 415.0kg
1st 66kg Men’s Open Raw – Navindra Tamasar, Squat 160.0kg, Bench press 95.0kg, Deadlift 200.0kg, Total 455.0kg
1st 74kg Men’s Open Raw – Demetri Chan, Squat 195.0kg, Bench press 147.5kg, Deadlift 255.0kg, Total 597.5kg
2nd 74kg Men’s Open Raw – Meshach Alexander, Squat 147.5kg, Bench press 85.0kg, Deadlift 170.0kg, Total 402.5kg
1st 83kg Men’s Open Raw – Steffan Hilken, Squat 157.5kg, Bench press 115.0kg, Deadlift 182.5kg, Total 455.0kg
1st 93kg Men’s Open Raw – Wazeer Hussein, Squat 227.5kg, Bench press 173.0kg, Deadlift 265.0kg, Total 665.5kg
2nd 93kg Men’s Open Raw – Ramesh Seecharan, Squat 132.5kg, Bench press 70.0kg, Deadlift 165.0kg, Total 367.5kg
3rd 93kg Men’s Open Raw – Frank Tucker, Squat 115.0kg, Bench press 90.0kg, Deadlift 140.0kg, Total 345.0kg
1st 105kg Men’s Open Raw – Carlos Petterson-Griffith, Squat 310.0kg, Bench press 165.0kg, Deadlift 350.0kg, Total 825.0kg
2nd 105kg Men’s Open Raw – Tremel King, Squat 245.0kg, Bench press 172.5kg, Deadlift 302.5kg, Total 720.0kg
3rd 105kg Men’s Open Raw – Paul Meusa, Squat 205.0kg, Bench press 125.0kg, Deadlift 265.0kg, Total 595.0kg
1st 120+kg Men’s Open Raw – Yogaishawar Seecharan, Squat 230.5kg, Bench press 115.0kg, Deadlift 230.0kg, Total 575.5kg
1st 105kg Men’s Master 1 Raw – Paul Meusa, Squat 205.0kg, Bench press 125.0kg, Deadlift 265.0kg, Total 595.0kg
1st 93kg Men’s Master 2 Raw – Ramesh Seecharan, Squat 132.5kg, Bench press 70.0kg, Deadlift 165.0kg, Total 367.5kg
1st 93kg Men’s Master 4 Raw – Frank Tucker, Squat 115.0kg, Bench press 90.0kg, Deadlift 140.0kg, Total 345.0kg
