Latest update March 28th, 2024 12:59 AM
Nov 11, 2014 Sports
‘Lifting’ the sport to higher heights
By Michael Benjamin
The toned bodies were characterized by well defined muscles as the nation’s best power lifters
defied all odds in their quest for lucrative spots when Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation (GAPF) Senior National Powerlifting Championship was staged at the St Stanislaus Secondary School, Brickdam, last Sunday afternoon.
The attendance was decent but consisted, in large part, of the die-hard fans of the sport. Much was expected of Vijai Rahim of the Hardcore Barbell Club who had copped the award for the best lifter last year and he did not disappoint, this time carting off the top prize ahead of 2013 champion, Winston Stoby, and Rudolph Blackmon respectively.
Modern day sports focus heavily on youth involvement, yet bodybuilding seems to be one of the many disciplines that defy conventional wisdom thus facilitating a category for those advanced in age. And so it was that at the GAPF nationals that three lifters, Martin Webster, Jagdefh Budhram and Frank Tucker, all within the Open category (the organizers did not include a master’s category), flexed their muscles to the approval of the appreciative audience.
Kaieteur Sport spoke with Mr. Webster shortly after the last weight was packed and he confirmed his involvement for the better part of 30 years. A member of the Bodymax Gym, Martin said that he started practicing his trade some 30 years ago under the house of a friend in Bent Street where he resides; his first coach was a Mr. Mohan.
When he finally decided to engage deeply in the sport Martin said he procured decent results; he admits that the sport does not enjoy the wide support necessary to propel it to the top local echelons but is confident that with the right undertaking, the noble sport could attain such heights.
Apart from his participation in the championships, Martin also doubled as the coach of Andrea Smith and Rondell Clementson, who competed in the (female) 57kg division and (male) 120+kg respectively. The latter athlete has done well and emerged at the top of his class in the 120+ kilograms; he squatted 265kgs, bench pressed 155kgs and dead lifted 282.5kgs.
Many power lifters conduct their respective lifts with additional gear leading the uninitiated to believe that this is a safety requirement. Those that decline the additional padding refer to the preference as ‘raw lifting.’ Martin does not subscribe to the view that the extra padding is a protective strategy and opted to lift the weights devoid of the additional gears. “I wish to see more youngsters engaged in raw lifting (devoid of the additional gear) since to my mind it facilitates a solid learning experience in the science of the sport.” He also said that he wishes to see more lifters becoming certified in strength and conditioning.
Martin admits that the progression rate is slower but the advantage lies in the fact that the very progression rate is steady, long lasting and provides a solid foundation to sustained, continuation of lifting.
Commenting on his performance in the just concluded championship Martin said that while he felt generally satisfied with his performance. He felt somewhat disillusioned after missing the bench press at 291kgs. “I failed the lift because of technique issues,” he explained. His eventual returns were 400kgs (squat) and 500kgs (dead lift).
Now, two days after the curtains were drawn, Martin said that he wishes to see a more broad based approach to teaching the sport and awareness of its intricacies. He feels that the utilization of the mass media in popularizing the sport coupled with other techniques may be the catalyst to improved awareness and support.
THIS IDIOT TELLING GUYANA WE HAVE NO SAY IN THE 50% PROFIT SHARING AGREEMENT WE HAVE WITH EXXON.
Mar 28, 2024
Minister Ramson challenge athletes to better last year’s performance By Rawle Toney Kaieteur Sports – Guyana’s 23-member contingent for the CARIFTA Games in Grenada is set to depart the...B.V. Police Station Kaieteur News – The Beterverwagting Police Station, East Coast Demerara (ECD) will be reconstructed... more
By Sir Ronald Sanders Kaieteur News – In the face of escalating global environmental challenges, water scarcity and... more
Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.
Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]