It was a night of upsets when the Guyana Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation Inc. (GBBFFI) hosted its Senior National Championships as the major titles changed hands at the Marriott Hotel on Sunday.
Four-time Mr. Guyana (bodybuilding) Kerwin Clarke and two-time Mr. Guyana (Men’s Physique), Emmerson Campbell were both dethroned as the judging panel gave the nod to USA-based Bruce Whatley, who won the men’s bodybuilding overall and Yannick Grimes who, took the spoils in the physique category.
Whatley, who won gold (masters) and silver (middleweight) at last year’s CAC Championships in the Dominican Republic, out posed and out flexed the two other athletes in the heavyweight class, Tremel King and Ron Loncke, then clashed with the winners of the other classes Clarke (middleweight), Marlon Bennett (masters and lightweight), Dwayne Chung (bantamweight) and Caerus Cipriani (welterweight).
Clarke, a gold medalist at CAC last year, then went shoulder to shoulder and pose for pose in all angles with Whatley as the two gladiators in a class by themselves put on a piping hot two-man show much to the pleasure of the vocal audience.
When the dust settled and every muscle fibre in each athlete was flexed to the max, Whatley emerged overall winner much to the surprise of Clarke and members of the packed banquet hall.
Meanwhile, the Buddy’s Gym product, Grimes, who has been a runner-up to Campbell on numerous occasions finally relegated the Fitness 53 muscleman to a surprising third place finish. Campbell’s gym mate, Lance Gordon placed second in the five-man line up. Cipriani and Chung placed fourth and fifth respectively in the battle of the board shorts.
Alisha Fortune, competing in the Body Fitness category was the lone female on stage and literally just walked away with the first place trophy.
President of the GBBFFI, Coel Marks dubbed the event an overwhelming success on many fronts. He mentioned that the attendance and the quality of athletes on stage augurs well for the federation and the muscle sport going forward.
Major sponsors included: Gandhi’s Variety Store, Fitness Express, Ministry of Culture Youth & Sport, Atlantic Marine Supplies, Chung’s Global Enterprise, World of Flowers, Aruwai Resort, Windjammer Restaurant and Bar, Star Party Rentals, Cafe Sol, IRide Guyana, L. Seepersaud Jewelry, Space Gym, Chakras Massage Parlor and Eclipse Photo Studio.
