After years of dominating the competition on the Caribbean circuit, Guyana’s Emmerson Campbell finally got his hands on the elusive International Fitness and Bodybuilding (IFBB) Pro Card on Sunday night, during the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Bodybuilding Championships, hosted at the National Cultural Center, Homestretch, Georgetown.
An achievement seven years in the making, Campbell initially was not awarded the accolade due to his competition attire, but judges later changed their decision, and Campbell became the first Guyanese to clinch a Pro Card in the Men’s Physique category; and he is the only athlete to have so done at this year’s competition.
Following the competition, Campbell, in reacting to the achievement, noted that it evokes in him a surreal feeling.
Emmerson Campbell (second from left) earned his Pro Card last Sunday
“It’s a surreal moment now that I’m a pro athlete. Just glad I had a good prep. I’m glad I had the support that I have, and I’m glad that I’m now a pro athlete. It’s just surreal. I’m lost for words,” Campbell told the media after his triumph.
Going on to discuss his initial disappointment on Sunday, and how it turned in his favour, Campbell shared, “I was like, ‘I wonder why I lost?’, because I had him physique-wise, but when I spoke with the judges just now, they told me that my shorts was too tight, and my stage attire was the thing that cost me the card. But they said (that) even though that was the case, they still awarded me the Pro Card because physique-wise, I was, I guess, superior.”
About his immediate plans now that he is a professional athlete, Campbell joked, “I just want to eat right now and chill.”
Campbell bagged one of Guyana’s eleven gold medals at the recently concluded international event. The 27-medal total saw the Land of Many Waters grabbing the overall title at this year’s CAC Championships.
