Guyanese born, world renowned bodybuilding legend, Laura Creavalle returned home last Friday after 15 years to host a fitness seminar and to celebrate the first anniversary of the Maximum Sports Combat and Strength Show.
But how much do we really know about the most successful local bodybuilder of all time?
How many of us know that the 56-year-old has graced the cover of the world renowned Muscle and Fitness magazine or that she was inducted into the IFBB Hall of Fame in 2007.
Did you know that she was a three-time IFBB Ms. International Champion (1990, 1994 and 1996)?
While one can simply Google or pull up Creavalle’s Wikipedia page and read up about her accomplishments, many of us do not know what she is like, what are her dislikes, what school she attended, how did she become a bodybuilder etc.
Stabroek Sport’s Emmerson Campbell was able to pick the brains of Creavalle yesterday and she revealed all the above and then some.
Have a read:
EC: Tell us about your background.
LC: I am a Guyanese born in Charity, Essequibo, went to Dartmouth School, then moved to North East La Penitence and attended St. Mary’s R.C School on Brickdam. I migrated to Canada at age 13.
EC: How did you get into bodybuilding?
LC: I attended a bodybuilding contest in Jamaica. I was impressed by the female that came third out of three competitors as she had a similar body structure as myself, which was big legs but small upper body. She had firm toned legs with no cellulite. At that time, I ran 13 miles a day but could not get rid of the cellulite in my legs. So I went back to Toronto and joined a gym with the sole purpose of becoming a bodybuilder.
EC: Give us some insight on your training in your prime.
LC: In my prime it was much regimented, working on a split routine which is working one major body part per workout. I worked out two days, rested one, and then repeated.
EC: How lucrative was bodybuilding in your prime?
LC: It was very lucrative in my prime as I had endorsement contracts with major fitness entities such as Weider Nutrition and Muscle & Fitness Magazine.
EC: What was the best purse you ever received through bodybuilding?
LC: My biggest purse was $25,000US when I came first place in the Ms. International Contest, which I won three times (1990, 1994 and 1996).
EC: What is your take about bodybuilding in Guyana?
LC: It’s wonderful to see the growth of bodybuilding in Guyana since I did my first guest posing at the Cultural Centre 28 years ago.
EC: How could the local federation attract more female bodybuilders?
LC: Being quite candid, I cannot say. However, Fitness, Figure and Bikini competitions have grown tremendously over the years and has replaced ‘female bodybuilding’, as we knew it.
EC: What are some of your dislikes?
LC: My dislike is missing a meal. When my blood sugar level drops, I become a different person, cranky and mean (jokingly) as my host has recognized.
EC: Tell us something we don’t know about you.
LC: Would you like me to tell you something you don’t know? Come to Maximum Sports Combat & Strength’s First Anniversary seminar on Wednesday, June 3rd, 6.30pm at the National Cultural Centre. Tickets are just $1,500. You will find out that and much more.
I would like to add that I am thankful to the producer of Maximum Sports, Mr. Max Massiah who facilitated my visit to Guyana after 15 years, along with the sponsors, Main Sponsor A. Ally & Sons, Fitness Express, Terminex Pest Control, West Indian Sports Complex, Guyana Karate College, Jermin’s Enterprise, Demerara Bank Ltd, Ganesh Parts & General Store, Evil Eyes Electronics, Sterling Products Ltd, Mines Services Ltd. Support has also been provided by Guyana Olympic Association, Mohamed’s Enterprise, King Advertising Ltd, 704 Sports Bar and Shellon August Auto Rental. I would also like to extend my appreciation to Fly Jamaica Airways, Pegasus Hotel, NCN and Patrick Chanderbhan.
