– Robinson to defend title, male overall title up for grabs
Keeping a keen eye on their calendar of activities, the Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation (GAPLF) will now focus their attention on the RAW Nationals (Unequipped), which are scheduled to be held on August 25 in the Auditorium of the Saint Stanislaus College on Upper Brickdam, Georgetown.
In this competition, athletes will be lifting weights with little or no additional equipment.
Carlos Peterson Griffith
The competition will be one to watch as veterans will return to stake their claim, while the newbies will aim to break new records and show off their strength as they fight for supremacy on the given date.
Natoya Robinson, last year’s victor in her category, is expected to defend her title. She had set national records for the 84+kg Division when she squatted 165.5kg, bench-pressed 92.5kg, and dead lifted 195.5kg for a total of 453.5kg.
Up for grabs this year is the position of “male overall winner” once held by Carlos Peterson-Griffith. This position became vacant when the athlete violated both the International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) Constitution and the GAPLF Constitution.
Article 14.9 of the IPF Constitution states, “Participating in non-IPF competition: any lifter, coach, referee or official who competes or participates in an international powerlifting or bench press competition not organised, sanctioned or approved by the IPF shall not be permitted to take part in any IPF international or regional competition for a period of 12 months from the date of that non-approved competition.”
Peterson set national records of 305kg squat and 160kg bench press en route to claiming the male overall crown with 509.490 Wilks points. He set a new national record in the deadlift: 345kg His total of 810kg was also a national record. Therefore, a new winner will be crowned without the dominant factor making his presence felt.
Persons interested in competing at the Raw Nationals are required to submit their applications and pay their fees. The forms and monies can be submitted to executive member Martin Webster. A screenshot of the filled out registration form, along with the deposit slip which must be submitted to the GAPLF Bank Account, #6552194, will be accepted as well.
