By Emmerson Campbell
The recent Hugh Ross Classic Bodybuilding and Fitness Show at the National Cultural Centre “was very successful” and it was particularly encouraging to see females are coming out again, says internationally acclaimed bodybuilder, US-based Guyanese Hugh Ross.
“Based on fan response and how the athletes reacted I would conclude that the show was very successful this year around, the competition and the rivalry was even keener although it was of a friendly nature, there were more athletes on stage than usual and I am very pleased that females are coming out again.”
This was the assessment given yesterday by Ross during an interview with Stabroek Sport on Saturday night’s staging of the third biennial Malta Supreme Hugh Ross Classic (HRC) Bodybuilding and Fitness Show held at the National Cultural Centre.
Ross, the 2010 Mr. Universe Master’s winner said that Guyana’s premier bodybuilding event will continue to be a biennial affair but plans are in place to ensure that local bodybuilders remain active
Said Ross: ”The HRC will definitely continue to be a biennial event, there is a new bodybuilding federation, a committee that I am a part of and they will be working feverishly towards ensuring that they stage two to three shows per year.”
He continued:“In addition we will also have the Flex Night International so there is new life being pumped into bodybuilding so the athletes should not be at a loss at stages to showcase their hard work.”
The former Sportsman-of-the-Year mentioned that the HRC Committee has expansion plans to make the next HRC an even better event than this year’s staging.
“As it relates to further expansions I am trying to get more females aware and onboard as well and I think that would really make a huge difference.”
Ross also alluded to the fact that the regional sub- meets which were introduced this year, improved the quality and standard of the event.
“This year we ventured into the outlying areas by having preliminaries in other regions and that served us well in many aspects, it brought many athletes onboard and it prompted the athletes to commence their preparation earlier.”
Ross added: “By having the preliminary shows, the athletes were in a better state of readiness and that enabled them to display better physiques on stage, so in a sense that was one way of expanding and making the event a better one.”
The reigning NABBA Master’s Over 50 champion also stated that he plans on making the event more lucrative as well as more entertaining by having international guest posers. Ross also mentioned that he is open to guest posing as well.
“The purpose of the HRC is for entertainment,” said Ross. “We will definitely strive to have top guest posers at the event. I don’t like to toot my own horn but from the feedback one of the primary reasons the audience goes to the show is to see me do something on stage and I never like to disappoint my audience so I am open to performing as well.”
During the interview, Ross sincerely thanked his sponsors, the athletes, the judges, and the bodybuilding federation for sanctioning the event. His gratitude also went out to the viewing patrons as well as members of the HRC committee for making the event a success.
Ross also stated that he has plans on launching a Fitness DVD later in the year.
This year’s HRC overall winners were Kerwin Clarke (overall male) Alisha Fortune (overall female) and Nadina Taharally (Miss Female Figure).
