Guyana wins first-ever medals in Darcy Beckles Classic
Guyana has once again grabbed the attention of the Caribbean in another bodybuilding competition, this time in the form of the 9th edition of the Darcy Beckles Classic Open and Invitational Bodybuilding Exhibition held in the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre, Two Mile Hill, Saint Michael, Barbados, over the weekend and organised by the Barbados Amateur Bodybuilding Federation.
Following their best showing in the Central America and Caribbean Bodybuilding Championships 2016, where Guyana registered a staggering record of five medals, the Golden Arrowhead was once more flown with pride as the team returned two medals in the form of Silver and Bronze. This happens to be Guyana’s best showing in the event as well.
Careus Cipriani now holds the record for the best showing by a Guyanese in the Darcy Beckles Classic
The team comprised of five bodybuilders, Yannick Grimes, Junica Pluck, Coel Marks, Careus Cipriani, Marlon Bennett and Videsh Sookram as the team manager.
In the Men’s Physique, three of Guyana’s athletes entered that category with Cipriani winning Silver and Grimes flexed his way to the bronze medal and Coel Marks missed the podium, finishing fourth. The big Barbadian, Stevenson Belle was the overall winner of that category, having had serious competition from Soepe Koese out of Suriname who seemed to be the crowd favourite.
Grimes has now moved up one place after placing fourth in the same event last year, which was at the time the best showing by a Guyanese in the event.
Pluck, participating in the Bikini Short category finished 6th out of nine competitors, while Marlon Bennett did not place in his respective category.
Speaking with Guyana Times Sport, Sookram enthusiastically noted that this is the most competitive year for the event with the number of athletes moving from 52 last year to 74 this year and it is a proud moment for Guyana to have placed so well in a competition of this magnitude.
President of the Guyana Amateur Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation also joined in to extend his congratulations to the team as the nation continues to excel in the sport.
