Powerlifting fraternity mourns death of Nigel Phillips

The Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation (GAPLF) and the fraternity have been plunged into a state of mourning with the sudden passing of one of its fierce competitors, Nigel Phillips.

The Berbice-based strongman, who has been involved in the sport since 2007, and was both a weightlifter and powerlifter in his early career, transitioned on Wednesday following a brief period of hospitalisation with one of the worst forms of pneumonia, the Federation said in a press release.

He was preparing for this Sunday’s GAPLF Intermediates and Masters championships up to Friday morning last, but was admitted to a private hospital the said afternoon and never made it out.

Even though he never got a chance to represent Guyana, mainly due to finances, Nigel Phillips competed with the best of his time, including Carlos Petterson-Grifith, and is the holder of a number of National Records.

GAPLF President, Franklin Wilson said that Phillips’ passing is indeed a blow to the powerlifting fraternity, but God knows best.

“I’ve known Nigel for his entire career and he has always been a cool competitor but fierce in his own way. His loss would no doubt be felt, especially by his immediate family and gym colleagues to whom he was very close there in Berbice. The fact that he was still training, even though not well, for Sunday’s competition, speaks to his discipline and fierce competitive spirit.

So, on behalf of the GAPLF, its members, and gyms, I’d like to extend sincere condolences to his wife, Shennie, children Hadiyah and Atiq, relatives, gym family, and friends.”

Following is the list of national records currently standing as achieved by the late Nigel Phillips.

Category                    Record
105kg Classic  Open   Squat 265kg
M1 Squat 262.5kg
M1 Bench 142.5kg
M1 Total 652.5kg
105kg Equipped          M1 Squat 290kg
M1 bench 192.5kg
M1 deadlift 232.5kg
M1 total 715kg
93kg Classic                M1 Squat 262.6kg
M1 bench 142.5kg
M1 total 652.5kg
93kg Equipped Open Bench 190kg
M1 Squat 287.5kg
M1 Bench 190kg
M1 Deadlift 247.5kg
M1 total 725kg