Six-medal haul for Guyanese lifters in Barbados

Guyana’s team to the second annual Phillips and Springer Weightlifting Championship in Barbados returned home this week with a total of six medals, inclusive of three gold, one silver and two bronze medals.

The event attracted three countries and was held from November 22-26 at the St George Secondary with Guyanese Krystol Chanderban, competing in the 58kg class (Junior Female), and Deion Nurse, who competed in the Masters category, being declared Best Overall Lifters in their respective categories.

Chanderban claimed gold with an overall total of 111kg to win ahead of Zagora Callender (106kg) and Barbadian Paige Proverbs, who managed 73kg.

Also golden was Matthew Assing, who won the 69kg category, with a total of 182kg. Shaun Bristol had to settle for the silver with a total of 162kg, while the bronze went to Colin McKoy, who accumulated 150kg.

The other gold medal achieved by Guyana came from Crossfit athlete Dillon Mahadeo, who competed in the 94kg class, which he won with a total of 240kg. Nurse, with a total of 187kg, took bronze in the 85kg category.

The silver went to Altmark Applewhite of Barbados (257kg), while the gold was taken by another Bajan, Brian Best, with a total of 275kg. Despite the challenges faced by the athletes, the Guyana Amateur Weightlifting Association believes they did well and made Guyana proud.

At the 2016 championship, Guyana won three gold medals in the Masters Class, along with a gold, two silver and a similar number of bronze in the Open Class.