Regional bodybuilders pumped up for inaugural ‘stage of champions’

The inaugural ‘Stage of champions’ is set for tonight at the Theater Guild, Parade Street, Georgetown and with more than 34 muscle men and women arriving from various destinations across the region and are ready to make history.

Up to press time on Friday night, a total of 33 athletes, including the Guyanese contenders and countries such as Suriname, Anguilla, Barbados and Trinidad and Tobagowere here and ready to go head to head across the various categories to mark the start of the latest bodybuilding feature on the Guyana Amateur Body Building Federation’s (GABBFF) calendar.

Upon the arrival of the athletes, the organizer along with the GABBFF hosted a media briefing at Olympic House, High Street where chairperson of the Event, Melissa ‘Vanilla’ Roberts said that the idea of the event was birthed three years ago at the Darcy Beckles Classic in Barbados and “it was an ideal where Guyana would be a premier destination in the last quarter of the year where we could have bodybuilding and fitness.”

Ahead of the event, President of the GABFF, Keavon Bess is pleased to cap off the good year for bodybuilding with this showing and reminded the audience of athletes and members of the media that the event was sanctioned by the GABBFF.

“We are glad that Mr. Sookram (VideshSookram, Organiser) was able to come and give the local athletes the opportunity to compete once more and the good thing about this competition is that it reaches out to other countries in the Caribbean and Suriname.” Bess went on to say that “in light of the performance at the Darcy Beckles Classic and the Caribbean and Central Americas Championships (CAC) this year, it is only fitting that we cap off the year that we have a regional tournament in Guyana.”

Organizer of the event, VideshSookram highlighted that the tournament is one which will bring something unique to Guyanese bodybuilders and develop their skills.

“I think it is time the athletes get a chance to develop their skills,” highlighting that “when we are sending a team it’s probably like three or four and the same set, our local athletes will have the chance to compete with more than three countries,” Sookram stated.

The event will see athletes competing in the traditional categories including bikini, Men’s physique, open and Invitational.

In an invited comment with Guyana Times Sport, CAC Men’s Physique 2016 Silver medalist, Emmerson Campbell said this title should be easy since he “is on a whole different level than the competition.” Campbell who will be taking part in the Men’s Physique further added that after examining the field, his only competition is the man in his mirror.

Also on show will be Guyana’s record holder in the Darcy Beckles Classic, Caerus Cipriani, Yannick Grimes, Jermaine Bacchus, Jaryl Moore, Alain Vincente all of Guyana in the Men’s Physique as well as Rockey Kewley of Trinidad and Tobago, Raindino Josafath and Faizel Pinas, both of Suriname.

In the Men’s Invitation the Surinamese are coming strong with Wendel Setro Flex Night winner and 7th last year in the Arnold Amateur Classic Brazil and Koese Soepe who was overall Flex night winner last year and fourth place winner in the Arnold Amateur Classic Brazil while Greshawne Clark will be representing Anguilla, Zaahid Hosein (Trinidad and Tobago) and Julio Sincair representing the hosts. In the open category, Anthony Nekrui (Suriname), Melvin Tolud (Suriname), Darcy Beckles Men;s open winner Shaquile Levine (Barbados) can expect stern competition from the Guyanese in the likes of Zalim Bacchus, Marlon Bennette, Chirstopher Miller, Donald Linneley and Morris Gravesandy.Meanwhile in the Miss Bikini Category, Guyana will be represented by Adonia Frand and Delisa Adonis while CAC Gold Medalist Shakira Doughlin will be no push over ahead of Militia Galimo, Suelle Shepperd and Janelle Singodjojo, all of Suriname. The showcase begins at 19:00h sharp with admission for the event is set at $2000.