Winning is nothing strange to Guyana’s most decorated muscleman Hugh Ross, but the behemoth’s victory at last month’s World Bodybuilding Championships was arguably his most satisfying.
In his view, it was considered “a major accomplishment.”
According to the US-based Ross, who is currently in Guyana on business ventures, his triumph was also redemption after losing by a single point last year.
“This year I didn’t just correct it, but I did it by a wide margin” Ross told this publication on Friday.
“I consider it a major feat.”
Ross was adjudged the best athlete in a field of 11 bodybuilders in the Masters over 50 category at the 33rd NABBA World Bodybuilding Championships which was staged at the Dolmen Resort Hotel and Conference Centre in Qawra, Malta
So what did this win mean to Ross?
“It brought me great joy for a number of reasons. I was able to redeem myself and I feel very proud that I was able to accomplish my goals which was being victorious and being able to hoist our Golden Arrowhead.”
What did you do differently during this year’s prep as opposed to the last year when you placed second?
“I was much more selective with the type of cardiovascular exercises, I discovered the last time around that treadmill and outdoor cardio activities had a tendency to burn much more of my muscle mass as opposed to lowering my body fat percentage.’
He added:“Although cardio is geared with lowering your body fat percentage, the fact that it is coupled with a low carb diet, it can easily lead to disaster in the form of losing muscle as opposed to losing fat. So this time around I switched the timing of the cardio and the type of cardio, it revolved around ellipticals as opposed to treadmills.”
Is retirement on your mind?
“Everyone have been asking me about the question of retirement,” said the smiling 55-year-old.
“One of the bi-products of bodybuilding is good health and would one want to retire from good health? I really don’t think so. I have been fortunate to have been blessed with good health and retirement is a foreign word.”
Ross then added that he may compete at next year’s Mr. Universe. He placed first at that event in 2010.
While here, Ross has been performing brand ambassadorial duties for Malta Supreme and Giftland Office Max. He has also met with President David Granger and paid courtesy calls to Director of Sport, Chris Jones and other office bearers.
