32nd FESUPO/16th NAPF & FESUPO Pan American C/ships … Debutants Gonsalves, Chan & Toney sizzle; Mack also shine as they also rewrite record books

Jul 05, 2017 Sports, http://www.kaieteurnewsonline....ewrite-record-books/

By Franklin Wilson in Orlando, USA compliments of Crown Mining Supplies, Fitness Express, Secure Innovations & Concepts, Industrial Safety Supplies, Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club.

Golden, silver and bronze medal performances along with record breaking performances has set an encouraging tone for the rest of the Guyana team competing at the 16th North American Powerlifting Federation (NAPF) and 32nd South American Powerlifting Federation (FESUPO) Championships which lifted off yesterday at the Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport.
Not even the cold atmosphere where the completion is being held could have deterred the young Guyanese from blazing the record breaking trail with debutants Romario Gonsalves and Demetri Chan as well as Britney Mack all etching their names in the record books at the Pan American and South American levels.
It was not all smooth sailing for the trio of Gonsalves, Mack and the other debutant yesterday, Teneisha Toney as they all were nursing varying injuries but persevered as they wanted to keep the Golden Arrowhead aloft.
Lifting, which was completed going on 22:00hrs last night having started just after 09:00hrs, saw the Guyana athletes and coaches supporting each other admirably throughout the day, which added to the athletes’ confidence ultimately leading to their commendable performances.
Contesting the Raw/Classic segment of the championships, debutants Romario Gonsalves (gold), Demetri Chan (silver, bronze) and Teneisha Toney (silver) all shone as well as Britney Mack who hauled in a gold medal in the Female Raw Sub-Junior 3-Lift 47kg Class, totaling 230.0kg – 506lb.
Toney, who suffered a back injury about one month ago but was determined to represent her nation had to settle for the bronze medal in the Female Raw Sub-Junior 3-Lift 57kg Class with a Total of 197.5kg – 434.5lb. The USA’s Emily Gardner took the gold medal with a Total of 363kg –796.5lb.
Gonsalves’ gold came in the Male Raw Junior 3-Lift 59kg Class with a total of 500kg – 1100lb. in the process, he set a new Pan American Squat Record of 190kg – 418lb with his third of three lifts. The first two of 175kg and 182.5kg were also records which were replaced with the heavier lift.
He also set a new Pan American Deadlift Record of 215kg – 473lb; the first and second lifts of 200kg and 210kg were also records which were replaced by the higher lift. Gonsalves’ Total of 500kg was also a Pan American Record.
Chan, who was involved in a ding dong battle with T&T’s Kenan Chanansingh for the Male Raw Junior 3-Lift 74kg Class silver medal, prevailed after a classy final lift which called on his will power while testing his mental fortitude.
He blew away the Trinidadian who managed a Total of 545.0kg with the gold medal going to Canada’s Morgan Penny with a Total of 587.5kg – 1292.5lb.
Chan achieved a Personal Best in the Squat of 185.0kg – 407lb; set a new National Bench Press Record of 140kg – 308lb as well as a Pan American Deadlift Record of 235kg – 517lb.
Both Chan and Gonsalves were nine for nine on the day which means they were flawless with all three lifts in the squat, benchpress and deadlift.
Speaking with Kaieteur Sport after a rewarding day, all three athletes expressed delight at being able to medal for their country and at the same time put themselves on the powerlifting map at the international level in the case of the debutants, Toney, Chan and Gonsalves.
Mack, who is competing at her third international meet, was not too happy with her performance and wanted to break the world record but was dogged by a back injury. Nonetheless, these young gladiators were able to bring joy to their nation.
Carlos Petterson, Nadina Taharally and ‘Big’ John Edwards will be in action today in the Raw segment of the championships and are all expected to make their mark for Guyana.

Golden boy Romario Gonsalves

Silver medalist Demetri Chan of Guyana (left) posing after the medal presentation.