By Travis Seymour
Duarte Hetsberger emerged as the top classic powerlifter on Sunday at the Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation (GAPF) Intermediate Championship held at the Saints Auditorium.
Competing in the 83kg men’s Master One raw division, Hetsberger outperformed his competitors, including Matthew Maycock, to secure the category title.
He set new records with a 142.5 kg bench press and a 237.5 kg deadlift, culminating in a total record of 557.5 kg after factoring in his squat weight.
This impressive performance earned him the title of best male intermediate classic lifter.
Hetsberger also claimed victory in the 83kg men’s open raw category, defeating Irshaad Ali and Justin Persaud.
In the women’s division, Alexis Williams excelled by capturing the best intermediate female lifter title after winning the women’s open raw 57kg category.
Williams achieved a squat of 110.5kg, a bench press of 52.5kg, and a deadlift of 132.5kg, totaling 295.5kg.
She also set a new squat record in the women’s open raw with her 110.5kg lift.
Other notable performances included Grace Jarvis, who claimed victory in the 76kg women’s open classic and master 1 category with a total lift of 277.5kg.
Matthews Maycock set a new squat record in the men’s master 1 raw division with a lift of 205kg.
Farouk Abdool established a new benchmark in the 120kg men’s master 2 equipped category.
Marlon Wilson won the best male masters classic title after dominating the 93kg men’s masters 1 raw category with a total lift of 602.5kg, achieved through a 210kg squat, a 120kg bench press, and a 272kg deadlift.
Norman Brady set new records in the 83kg men’s master 4 raw division with a 75kg squat, a 115kg deadlift, and a total lift of 260kg, securing his 83kg class victory.
Other winners included Omali Vancooten in the 93kg men’s junior raw and 93kg men’s open raw categories, alongside Sereste King, Irshaad Ali, Trevor Callender, Franklyn Brisport-Luke, Farouk Abdool, Ronessa Mcadam, and Mariah Bacchus.
The event was attended by Minister within the Ministry of Housing & Water, Susan Rodrigues, who presented trophies to the winners.