KINGSTON, Jamaica – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has said Jamaica is extremely proud of the powerlifting team, the Spartans, for a record-breaking performance on their first outing on the international scene.

Minister Grange’s congratulation of the Spartans follows the team’s participation in the North American Powerlifting Federation’s (NAPF) Regional Championships in Panama.

“Commendations also to the National Powerlifting Association of Jamaica which has guided the Spartans to be among the sports men and women providing us with gifts of superb performances for Jamaica 60. Earning gold and breaking records in the process on debut will be long remembered,” the Sport Minister concluded.

The Jamaica Spartans won their first-ever medal at the NAPF when Scott Jennings, got gold as well as set a deadlift championships record of 312.5kg (688.94lb) in the 83kg weight class.

Additionally, Jennings also had the top squat of the competitors, weighing 247.5kg (545.64lbs), but his only successful bench press attempt was 172.5kg (380.30lb).

Jennings ended the competition with an impressive total of 732.5kg (1,614.88lb), which also now a competition record.