More Than Two Dozen Medals for Belize’s Powerlifting Delegation

And while a team of Belizean Volleyball athletes is waging war inside the Civic, a delegation of Belizean powerlifters is currently in the Cayman Islands competing in the 2023 North American Powerlifting Championship. On Tuesday, five of our women athletes medaled in their individual categories. Alida Sharp and Rhea Tsai both won overall gold medals in their categories, Kaelie Burgess and Shakira Tsai secured overall silver medals in their categories, while Edith Ruiz secured an overall bronze medal in her category.  Additionally, they all received medals for their total lifts. Also on Tuesday, Eric Sanabria won gold and Leo Matura won bronzes. The Belize delegations secured a total of twenty-two medals on Tuesday.  It is worth noting that Alida Sharp set four North American records while competing.  Two members of the delegation secured two additional bronze medals today.

Eric Sanabria

Eric Sanabria, Gold Medalist

“I won gold for the fifteen kilo sub junior and I also won bronze for the bench. It is silver for squat and gold for the dead lift.  It is an honor and pleasure to actually bring this home to Belize. Travelling internationally to compete is a different mood and feeling overall.”

Alida Sharp

Alida Sharp, Gold Medalist

“It was a day that two weeks ago I didn’t even think was going to happen because of an injury I have. But today I was able to earn four gold medals and break four North American records. I am just grateful, grateful and so proud to be able to represent Belize. I am here also as a coach. I handled Eric this afternoon. I have Jaqueline tomorrow and on Thursday I am testing as an international referee. I passed the written exam for a category two referee and on Thursday I am serving as a side referee as a part of my practical exam.”