Alida Sharp Captures Gold at North American Powerlifting Competition in Panama

Belizean Powerlifter Alida Sharp dominated the competition at the nineteenth North American Powerlifting Competition in Panama City. Sharp broke two North American records, tied a third record, and captured gold in the Master two, Fifty Two Kilos Open Class. Team Belize is also celebrating a bronze medal in the Fifty-Seven Kilo Open Class captured by Edith Ruiz, and a bronze medal in the Sixty-Three Kilo Open Class captured by Jacqueline Alas. We spoke with Sharp via Zoom this afternoon.

Alida Sharp

Alida Sharp, Belizean Athlete

“So far I have earned a gold medal in my category, Masters 2, 52 Kilos. And, I also broke the North American squat record and set a new one. And, I broke the bench press record and set a new one. I tied the dead lift record and I broke the point total record and set a new one. You know, when you have a goal that you have been working on for such a long time, I set this goal over a year ago. We had last year’s national meet in June of 2021 and I set this goal shortly after that. So, to have worked all year long, losing the weight slow enough so that I could keep my strength that I had at the lighter bodyweight, it has been a challenge. There were a lot of tears and doubt and fear along the way, but to have made it to this point and to have accomplished three of my four goals, I am just so excited. On the same day that I competed, Edith Rocio also competed in the 57 Kilo Open Class in the open. She placed third, so she earned a bronze medal. In the same day we took home gold and a bronze medal for Belize. This morning Jacqueline Alas competed in the 63 Kilo Open Class and she also earned a bronze medal there.”