When local bodybuilding is discussed, the mere mention of the title Mr Guyana suggests it is no ordinary award and that it is earned only by those who truly reach the pinnacle of physical accomplishment.
Godfrey Stoby, complete with a wasp waist combined with a flaring back, wide shoulders, chiseled legs and a washboard midsection feels that his 164-pound mass of striated muscle has reached that pinnacle. He is ready to claim the Mr Guyana title on Saturday at the National Senior Bodybuilding Championships dubbed ‘Bodies of Steel’.
“My goal is to go on stage and win Mr Guyana,” the 2010 Novices champion told Stabroek Sport yesterday. “What I will display on stage will be a perfection of symmetry, muscle density and conditioning, I’m excited and eager to go onstage.
“I am friends with a lot of the competitors but when it comes to competition day there is no friend I’m looking to defeat everybody.”
So what can bodybuilding fans at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall expect from Stoby in six days?
“Well I’ve been hearing things that it’s a two-man battle with me and Kerwin [Clarke] because we have what it takes to be Mr Guyana. I will do my best and leave it up to the judges, but I am a proven winner,” the 26-year-old muscle man said.
To back up his boasts, the Tower Gym instructor will have to defeat the largest field in senior championship’s history.
Standing in Stoby’s way are last year’s CAC gold medallist and defending Mr Guyana, Devon Davis and CAC silver medallist, Marlon Bennett.
New sensations’ Clarke (2011 Novices and last year’s CAC bronze medallist and Hugh Ross Classic Winner), Dwayne Mars (this year’s Novices Champion) and Michael Da Silva are also heavily favoured.
Mere points can separate the winner and first runner-up for the title of Mr Guyana.
The males will compete in the under 132 pounds, under 143, under 154, under 164, under 176 pounds, heavyweight, Masters (over 40 years) and under 21 categories.
The lineup is huge, the competition fierce, and the title is monumental.
But at the end of the day only one man can walk away with the bragging rights. The fans have their favourites and will make their voices heard on Saturday. With only days remaining before the signature bodybuilding event in Guyana gets underway, the excitement is building with every day that passes.
Saturday’s flex time is 19:00 hrs and tickets cost $1,000
Females will vie for the Ms Physique and Ms Body Fitness titles.
Sponsors for the event so far include: Fitness Express, Hardware Depot, Hand in Hand, Courts, GTM, G3 Gym, Interline Gym and Trophy Stall.
During yesterday’s interview, Stoby also thanked his family, friends and staff members of the Tower Gym. He also encouraged patrons to support the show as it will be a must see competition.
