By Emmerson Campbell
Local conglomerate Banks DIH Limited under its Malta Supreme brand yesterday flexed its corporate muscle by supporting the third biennial Hugh Ross Classic (HRC) Bodybuilding and Fitness Show and its Fitness Walk.
This is the third occasion that the company has pledged its support for Guyana’s premier bodybuilding show which will be staged at the National Cultural Centre on July 28.
During a media briefing at the Banks DIH boardroom yesterday, Media Manager Troy Peters on behalf of his company offered support to the show and the fitness walk as well as the US-based Guyanese world renowned bodybuilder who was in attendance.
Peters said: “Today we are here to offer our commitment to the third biennial Hugh Ross Classic. Banks DIH Limited has been onboard from the inception of the Hugh Ross Classic and we are pleased to continue our partnership under the Malta Supreme brand. Let me just emphasize that we will be offering full sponsorship to this event and the health and fitness walk.”
The Fitness Walk will commence at the Albert Street entrance of the National Park on Sunday at 6:00hrs.
The walk starts from the gate of the National Park, then will proceed east on Thomas Lands, then north into JP Singh Highway, west into Carifesta Avenue, south into Camp Street, east into Lamaha Street and then northerly into Albert Street to conclude at the starting point.
Ross who won the NABBA World Championship Master’s Over-50 title in Dublin, Ireland last month thanked Banks DIH for being the premier sponsor of both events and he also shed some light on the upcoming activities.
Ross stated that Curtis McKenzie of Curtis Workout will be on hand to soothe the muscles of Fitness Walk participants. He also mentioned that members of the Drum Corps of the Guyana Defence Force will use their instruments to keep the participants in rhythm.
Water and other beverages will also be available, compliments of Banks DIH Limited.
The former Mr. Olympia Master’s Champion also noted that the musclemen for the HRC will be placed in the four standard categories namely: bantamweight, lightweight, middleweight and heavyweight and a category for women called the female figure category.
Ross said that the female figure category will be based more on being toned with proper symmetry as opposed to being ripped with muscles.
Guyana’s premier bodybuilder also reiterated that only athletes that took part in the preliminary shows will be on stage at the Classic.
Admission for the show which will commence at 19:00hrs will cost $2500, $2000 and $1000. Tickets are on sale at Buddy’s Gym, the National Cultural Centre, Colour’s Boutique and Planet Fitness Pro.
Also present at the briefing were HRC Finance controller, Dexter Garnett, Andre Poonai HRC Technical Director, Lee Baptiste Guinness Brand Manager and Clayton McKenzie, Brand Manager of Non Alcoholic Beverages of Banks DIH Limited.
The inaugural HRC was held in 2008, while the second one was held in 2010. Lindener Mark ‘Uno’ Perry was 2008’s overall winner, while Royston Booker was 2010’s overall winner. Sprint queen Alisha Fortune was the top female body builder in 2008 and 2010.
