Carlos Peterson Grifith Grateful for achievements in 2018

…aiming for highest honours in 2019

By Timothy Jaikarran

Carlos Llwenlyn Peterson Grifith was born on February 18, 1994 at the Georgetown Public Hospital. He is the eldest of three sons born to Alicia Marietta Peterson Grifith, who currently resides in Real Madrid, Spain.
Grifith had numerous homes in his childhood ranging from at his mother’s grandparents in Venezuela to his older brother and his uncle, Percival Fowler with whom he lived from the age of 13.
Speaking with Guyana Times Sport, Grifith informed that: “On returning home (Guyana) after so many years, I was enrolled at the Dolphin Secondary School within a month of our arrival and there I spent three years, seven months until I wrote the Caribbean Examinations Council exams (CXC). During my academic years, I’ve experienced my fair share of ups and downs, but came through successfully with the aid of Marilyn Searles and her daughter, Nicona Searles along with few others who helped me to stand firm and continue my life’s journey.”
It was truly a traumatic event that led Grifith to the gym as he sustained a life-threatening injury on August 29, 2013 while at work. After which he was almost crippled from the waist down as he had a fractured scapula and a dislocated pelvis. He recalled that when he resumed work four months later, he had only recovered 80 per cent and so he decided to join Body MaXX Gym on January 12, 2014 where he underwent strength training to strengthen his damaged muscle tissue.
Grifith said, “After training approximately two weeks, my body and physique began to change and it was then I decided to become a bodybuilder although I had it in mind before I was injured. In late January, I saw a poster advertising the Novices and Bodybuilding, Men and Women Physique and Bikini Championship. The following day I spoke with the gym trainer “Brother Shawn” who then offered to help me, but stated that I will not be able to be in full shape for the Championship, I then told him it was OK, I will try my best. We began vigorous training increasing on the weights and doing more reps. I trained as hard as possible, day in and day out (morning and evening), because I was feeling great and looking even better for the Championship, since one day I’m hoping to reach the top. Within the first week of HIT (High Intensity Training), training “Brother Shawn” introduced me to Mr Trumel King, a bodybuilder who had just returned to the arena from an injury. I began to be noticed by others who started to ask if I had any intentions of taking part in the upcoming Championship and what kind of supplements I was using to boost my body so quickly, I told everyone I wanted to take part, but wasn’t sure as yet and was not using any supplements, but no one believed me even though it was the truth. By the end of February, I took part in the Championship where I fell under the 176lbs weight class and Junior Open category placing fifth in the open overall or as they say fourth runner-up and third within my weight class”.
Despite his disappointment, Grifith did not give up – through his many ups and downs, he continued to press on as he knew that he was destined for greatness. He focused on training owing to the fact that he wanted to be the best. It was February 28, 2016 when he participated in the Junior/Novices Powerlifting Championship, which was held at the Rosignol Primary School where he shockingly set a new record in his weight class of 93kg as an unequipped or raw lifter. Having claimed the junior national title, Grifith successfully defended his title on September 18, 2016, in the Sammy Bakker Raw/Classic Powerlifting Championship, as he ended with an overall total of 675kg/1485lbs internationally rated, improving his set records and previous totals. Following his superb performances, he went on to compete on November 27, 2016, in the Senior Nationals Powerlifting Championship where he dominated the unequipped/raw category, setting a new 93kg class record by squatting 250kg, benching 140kg and dead lifting 300kg, bringing him a total of 690kg/1518lbs internationally rated.
A few weeks later, Grifith took part in the Junior/Novices Powerlifting Championship once again, at Thirst Park Banks DIH Sports Club, not as a novice lifter but to defend his junior title where he improved his previous records by squatting 260kg, benching 140kg and dead lifting 310kg for an overall of 710kg/1562lbs internationally rated. These are just a few of his records.
In 2018, Grifith continued to train as he prepared for the NAPF/Regional Powerlifting Championship, which was set for August 1-5 in Mexico City. To prepare for this stage, Grifith took part in the Seniors Bodybuilding Championship and secured first in the heavyweight class at a body weight of 199.6lbs.
He explained, “In Mexico, for me wasn’t a big challenge competing at an altitude of 9000ft above sea level. Yes, my fellow countrymen felt it different such as a lot of dry nose due to thin air. After completing the lifts, I placed first in the open raw/classic category 93kg weight class, [and got] Overall Raw Best Lifter and the new NAPF South American, Pan American Squat Record; 1st place In the open equipped category 93kg weight class, third place overall and South American deadlift record.
“Team Guyana departed with a nine-member [squad], including a physiotherapist for Mexico City on July 29, 2018. With little or so of funds, we were able to return home with a success of six gold medals, two silver, three bronze and Overalls. Few weeks later, I competed at the Raw/Classic Nationals where I placed first and overall, setting new national and unofficial NAPF South American, Pan American and Commonwealth squat, deadlift and total records.”
In closing, Grifith said, “For the year 2018, it was a very good year: a lot of competition, time, dedication, and, most of all, sacrifice.
Besides all the above, I was able to accomplish sponsorship from SBD Apparel, which is a leading lifting apparel both in and out of IPF (International Powerlifting Federation), a spot and a chance to compete in both: the World’s Raw/Classics Championship and the World’s Equipped Championship.
It’s also a great year thanks to God Almighty, sponsors (Jamie McDonald-Fitness Express, GYSBI, Charles Ramson, Space Gym, and many more. For 2019, I’m willing to take part in the mentioned upcoming event, where I see myself setting new records and, most of all, capturing the highest honours.”