If the number of female athletes (seven) and the high level of competition seen in the male segment at the just concluded Novices Bodybuilding Championships said something, it must have been “local bodybuilding is on the
rise.”
The bar has been raised for the sport which was stereotyped for meat heads and hardly gained much recognition in the past. Bodybuilding and fitness events are now attracting the support of many corporate sponsors and supporters, testament to the fact of an overflowing Theatre Guild on Saturday night despite the current sluggish state of the economy.
The sport has been evolving and now also attracts the ‘cool’ crowd with the introduction of the hunks in board shorts competing in the aesthetically pleasing Men’s Physique category along with the females in their glistening two-piece bikini suits.
Bodybuilding’s image in Guyana has been revolutionized right before our eyes with more and more citizens signing up for gym membership and then stepping on stage.
From Bishops’ High School student, Kacey Bailey who competed in Men’s Physique and bodybuilding, to 69-year old, Louis Dean, to Natasha Chung (Ms. Bikini) from Berbice, the iron sport is attracting athletes from all ages, classes and parts of the country.
It is extremely refreshing to see more women moving away from the size-zero-lollipop look and instead showing more interest in becoming strong and toned. Strong and lean is the new skinny; there appears to be a big future in Guyana with more and more women signing up and competing every year.
Bodybuilding might not be for everyone but I am glad to see athletes like Chung and others who are healthy role models that bring an admirable new glamour to the sport.
With the current executive reaching out to outlying communities like Berbice, Linden and Bartica, this can only augur well for the growth of the discipline.
Bodybuilding and fitness is also finally getting the respect it deserves in the 592. There is no time for slackers in the business of bodybuilding – discipline is imperative if you want to compete successfully and be taken seriously. A strong mindset, focus and, above all the RIGHT support system is needed.
Kudos to the current and past executive for raising the bar. Fitness fans are already eagerly awaiting the flagship Senior National Championships scheduled for mid-July. (Emmerson Campbell)
