A group of aspiring weightlifting athletes and their coach from Antigua and Barbuda have set off for neighboring Barbados, kicking off a week-long specialized training initiative designed to fine-tune their skills ahead of a major regional multi-sport event.
The delegation, which departed on May 28, 2026, consists of three rising competitive athletes – Jaunii Nathaniel, Daniel Antonio, and Kevesha Nedwell – led by their head coach Durand Meade. The immersive workshop, running from May 29 to June 4, 2026, is hosted by the Barbados Weightlifting Association, and brought together a team of high-profile international experts to lead the training program.
Heading up the workshop is Andrew Callender, a leading technical official from the host nation’s weightlifting governing body, with supplementary technical guidance provided by a seasoned professional coach affiliated with USA Weightlifting. The training curriculum is purpose-built to address key areas of elite weightlifting development: it covers granular technical form refinement, targeted competition strategy and mental preparation, evidence-based strength and conditioning programming, and personalized sport science support, all aligned to help athletes reach their peak performance when it matters most.
Full financial backing for the entire training and workshop initiative comes from the Continental Weightlifting Federation, while the Antigua and Barbuda National Olympic Committee stepped in to cover critical logistical arrangements for the traveling delegation, removing administrative and operational barriers for the team.
The three athletes attending the workshop have already secured guaranteed invitational spots to compete at the 2026 Central American and Pan American Games, which will be held in the Dominican Republic later this year. This intensive workshop is a core component of their tailored pre-competition preparation plan, built to boost their competitiveness and help them deliver strong results at the regional multi-sport gathering.
Cliff Williams, spokesperson for the Antigua and Barbuda Weightlifting Federation, expressed the organization’s appreciation for the collaborative opportunity in a statement. “We are incredibly grateful to the Continental Weightlifting Federation and our hosts in Barbados for providing access to this high-caliber development opportunity,” Williams said. “This workshop will not only elevate the performance of our current athletes and coaching staff but also help us grow weightlifting as an emerging sport in our country as we gear up for the upcoming games.”