President of the Guyana Amateur Weightlifting Association (GAWA), Frank Tucker threw his hat in the ring and backed the four-member Guyanese bodybuilding team heading off to the 44th Central American & Caribbean (CAC) Bodybuilding Championships in Dominican Republic.
Kerwin ClarkeFrank Tucker
The team which is spearheaded by top bodybuilder, Kerwin Clarke also includes Devon Davis, who has won gold at CAC three times, Alisha Fortune and Emmerson Campbell as the team for the September 29 event.
Tucker, who has been one of the stalwarts in the bodybuilding fraternity, compared the Guyanese team to others across the region and from what he has seen, the prospects for Guyana looks promising.
“I’ve seen the quality and standard of athletes across the region and I know the Guyanese athletes ought to do better on this occasion.” Tucker compared the positions Guyana finished in last year.
Most notably for Tucker is the talent of young Clarke, who narrowly missed the podium on the last occasion having finished fourth when the competition was held in the Bahamas.
Tucker pointed out that Clarke caught his attention and judging from last showing, “I’ve seen Mr. Clarke from then to now, and his body has improved tremendously.”
A bodybuilder himself, Tucker predicted great things for Clarke noting that it is possible; the young talent could achieve great heights in the event.
“I would expect him to perform at a higher level and to medal, if possible the gold medal and I would expect his placing to go up.” Tucker Said.
Tucker’s predictions however, are not based on instinct but rather facts, highlighting some of the stand out qualities that define Clarke from the others.
“Clarke’s body is well groomed and mature. There are other bodybuilders who may have basics like shape, basic definition but Clarke has density, striations in his muscles. You get the separation of the muscles much more than in other athletes and that is what separates him.” The GAWA President pointed out.
While the expectations for these athletes are high, it is fair enough that Tucker advises other bodybuilders to help better themselves in the field and more so, lift the Guyana flag high comparing the preparations of the other teams to that of Guyana’s.
“Well for the athletes in Guyana, I’m not sure about [when] their preparation started as long as the other athletes. Those athletes when they finish one competition they got a road map to the next so they start prep early I’m not sure we do the same so they are ready,” Tucker referenced.
Recommending the athletes “need to ensure their diets are in order,” signaling “What makes the difference between the winners is the diet.”
Speaking on his personal preparations, Clarke highlighted that he is confident of medaling in the Dominican Republic and bettering his performance from the last time after having made major adjustments to his training and dieting.
The confident bodybuilder said that his final preparations are up to speed and his progression is on moving along nicely and has some unfinished business in the light middle weight division and is definitely looking to better his previous two bronze medals with gold.
“I am nailing all my exercise sessions and I am progressing decently. I am trying to stick to a stringent diet and remain focus in the gym.” Clarke declared.
Judging on his performance from the last outing, judges would have noted that Clarke would have had minor issues that would have lead him to finishing fourth rather than on the podium, but Clarke has indicated that he has made a lot of adjustments to his physique and has a better chance of copping gold this year.
Devon Davis, who is usually among the gold medals is expected to go a step further this year in the bantamweight division after copping silver in 2015.
Meanwhile, Emmerson Campbell who is in his preferred category the Men’s Physique told Guyana Times Sport that he is in the best shape of his life heading to the DR. The local journalist finished fourth last year in the Bahamas and is said “I am gunning for a podium finish this year but not just any spot, the top spot.”
The lone female on the team, Alisha Fortune will be hoping for a much better showing this year after suffering in the Bahamas with a wardrobe failure.
Over 400 of the best body builders in the Caribbean and Central America are registered in what may be considered the “Olympics” of body building in the Caribbean.
Team Guyana depart on Wednesday at 06:00h.
