Ruth Li and Caleb Alexis-Thomas are down to defend their overall titles when the National Weightlifting Championships takes place on February 24 and 25 at the Urban Fitness Gym in Trincity.
The duo stood out last year, but they are already bracing for a tough contest this time around, with over 60 participants already registered to take part.
According to Li, there is excitement all around for the championships as the top weightlifters will earn a place on the national team for several international tournaments, inclusive of the International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) Championships in Arizona, United States in July/August later this year.
Li and Alexis-Thomas, goal and silver medal winners at the (47kg) and 105kg divisions at the North American Powerlifting Federation Championships last year, will be difficult to beat, while an effervescent Lois Sprang is also eager to defend her Masters 4 title against anyone who comes up.
I was the most consistent powerlifter last year and a gold-medal winner in the squat (112.5), the bench press (57.5), and the deadlift (137.5) for a total of 307.5, which helped in guiding the women’s team to the bronze medal overall at the NAPF Championships.
However, at 74 years, Sprang, a businesswoman, caused the world to pause by shattering the world record in the Women’s Masters 4-57kg weight class with a squat of 85kg.
Her performances were not only an eye-opener, but they also cleared the way for several other powerlifters such as Reshon Superville, Rebecka Gervais-Charles, Krystan Hosein, Ryan Rollock, Quinell Smith, Jerneil Nivet, Charissa Grant, Makesi Leach, Deresay Alleyne, and Marlon Lawrence-Belfon, among many others.
Joseph Josiah Mc Donald also got overall silver medals from the three categories (bench press, deadlift, and squat) he contested at the NAPF, while Jerneil Nivet, Grant, and Leach claimed overall bronze medals to add to the country’s medal haul. Altogether, the T&T team captured a total of 52 medals.
Li explained the athletes are anxious to see a team go back out to international competition. From it, the athletes will have the opportunity to receive valuable IPF points that will go toward their rankings.
She noted that the country will also have the chance to have a full slate of competitors in all categories for the first time in a long while at international competitions.
Last year, she said the country was minus a 52kg competitor which is being filled this year by Miah Greenway, a novice athlete.