Local weightlifters have so far secured a gold and silver medal at the World Masters weightlifting championships, currently underway in Savannah, Georgia, USA.

According to the team’s manager Deion Nurse, Althea Joseph-Letlow won a gold medal in the women’s 35-39 years age group, 75K’s class, while June Bell claimed silver in the same age group, but in the 63kg class.

The other local female at the championships, Subrina Pestano failed to medal in the 45-49 years age group 69Kg class. According to Nurse, Letlow snatched 47.5Kg and clean-and-jerked 65Kg for a total 112.5Kg’s and the gold medal. She was, however, the only lifter in her class.

Bell snatched 50Kg and clean and jerked 67.5Kg’s for a total 117.5Kg’s and the silver medal. The gold in this class was won by United States’ C. Boudreau. She snatched 65Kg and clean-and-jerked 80Kg.

Pestano failed to get a lift while starting at 55Kg and failed again at 57.5 Kg. The class was won by V. Cabreba who snatched 47.5Kg and clean-and-jerked 67.5Kg.

The local men - Colin McKoy and Nurse - will be in action on Monday.

Over the years, Guyana has had a fair measure of success at these championships, having won two gold medals through Pestano and Stanley Braithwaihe in 1999 when the championships were staged in Scotland.

In 2000 local lifters won three medals through Pestano (silver), McKoy (bronze) and Jennifer Hall (bronze).