COVID-19 ‘weight’ too heavy for Powerlifting Federation

The Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation (GAPF) has taken the decision to cancel the rest of the season due to the rising cases of COVID-19 in Guyana.

According to Public Relations Officer, Runita White, the safety of the athletes is paramount and the fact that the international body cancelled its season, Guyana decided to follow suit.

Despite Guyana’s International airports being reopened on October 12, the Federation took the decision to end the season, since there is no overseas competition.

There was the South American Powerlifting and Bench Press Equipped and Classic Championships from December 1-6 in Peru, but the International Federation cancelled that event.

According to White, the Federation was contemplating hosting one event under strict COVID-19 guidelines, but decided against it given the high risk and potential infection of athletes.

As of October 15, Guyana’s confirmed cases of COVID-19 soared to 3,620 with 107 deaths.

The Intermediate championships in April/May, RAW Nationals in September and Seniors in December were the local events affected by the pandemic.

Though attention is now turned to 2021, White said the current closer of gyms would suggest that they might not be an early start to competition.

A total of 17 new records were set at this year’s Novices, the only competition held by the GAPF in 2020.

According to the International Powerlifting Federation calendar, all 2020 actives are marked cancelled, but those for 2021 are still on the cards.

The first one for Guyanese attention would be the South American Powerlifting and Bench Press Equipped and Classic Championships in July.