THE newly formed National Powerlifting Association of Jamaica (NPAJ) coaches and administrators were brought up to par by the Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission (JADCO) in a workshop last Saturday at the Mona High School.

NPAJ — Jamaica’s newest sporting body — was incorporated in December 2020 and gained membership to the International Powerlifting Federation in February 2021.

President Michael Blair said it is a part of his association’s objective to improve the knowledge and awareness regarding doping to its members and the possible consequences.

“We must start to educate our leaders early. We must educate the personnel within the association,” Blair told the Jamaica Observer.

He continued: “As a new association with major members new to sporting administration, all of them were very happy and welcomed the information with open arms. The feedback from the members is very positive and they are hoping to have a second round soon.”

President Blair, who is best known for his expertise in football where he formed the Jamaica football database website Premidictor, also served as administrator at Harbour View FC, Constant Spring FC, Jamaica Football Federation, the Kingston and St Andrew Football Association (KSAFA) and the St Catherine Football Association.

“This first session was geared more to the coaches and administrators; the second round will be more about the athletes, both local and overseas,” he added.

Powerlifting is an individual sport for both males and females in which the goal is to lift the highest amount of weight possible in the squat, bench press, and deadlift in specific weight and age categories.

• Squat: the hip crease must drop below the plane of the knee and there needs to be a constant forward motion of the barbell (no dipping or bouncing).

• Bench: the barbell must pause on the chest until it’s motionless, and the lifter must keep certain points of contact on the bench and floor including the head, buttocks, and feet.

• Deadlift: the barbell must not rest on the thigh during the lift, and the hips, knees, and shoulders need to be ‘erect’ in the lock-out position. Even if you lift the weight from start to finish, if you don’t follow the technical standards then you won’t be granted a successful lift.

Athletes have three attempts to reach their maximum capacity. The heaviest squat, bench press, and deadlift that are successfully lifted are added up to give athletes a “powerlifting total”. This total is what’s used to rank athletes amongst each other.