Latest update January 24th, 2025 6:10 AM
Latest News
- VP Jagdeo exposed on Gas-to-Energy project
- $350B in loans to fund 2025 budget-Jagdeo
- Judge blocks Trump’s ‘blatantly unconstitutional’ executive order that aims to end birthright citizenship
- UK Company installs monitoring system on four drill rigs in Guyana
- Former K/NEWS sports journalist loses home in Kitty fire
Clint Duke is new Mr. Guyana Bodybuilding King
Out flexes rivals in muscular showdown; Alisha Fortune retains Ms. Guyana crown
By Franklin Wilson
Linden’s Clint Duke competing out of the Total Fitness Gym located at Grove East Bank Demerara, is the new king of bodybuilding in Guyana. Duke wrested the Senior Mr. Guyana crown from a field of four (4) other competitors (category winners) at the Guyana Amateur Bodybuilding & Fitness Federation (GABBFF) Championships dubbed ‘A Mission of Mega Proportions’ held on Sunday night at the National Cultural Centre. In capturing the title for the second time in his career having won in 2007, Duke, who also won the Welterweight (155 – 165 lbs) dethroned 2009 champion Oswin Jones who was crowned the over 176 lbs champion. Multi talented female athlete Alisha Fortune was again unbeatable on the distaff side retaining the Ms. Guyana title for the 3rd straight year.
From his first appearance on stage to perform his 60 second free posing routine, Duke, who won a silver medal at last year’s CAC competition, wooed the small but appreciative crowd on hand as he flexed his well chiseled body (robotic style) to a well arranged collection of sounds effects.
He set himself apart during the seven (7) compulsory poses in the welterweight contest when he came up against Sean Sooklall, Dillon Harlequin and Alfred Jordon.
Oswin Jones (Heavyweight King) receives his trophy and hamper from Jamie Mc Donald of Fitness Express.
Further comparisons were requested by one of the judges between Duke, Jordon and Harlequin and in the end, Duke was declared champion of this category with Jordon settling for 2nd, Harlequin 3rd and Sooklall 4th.
The heavyweight (176 lbs & over) showdown – the clash of the big ones – was another 4-man battle between 2009 Mr. Guyana Oswin Jones, Dillon Cumberbatch, Handel Cameron and the multi talented Rawle Green also of athletics fame. Green was competing in this category for the first time having missed the cut by 4 pounds for the Light Middleweight category.
Jones emerged the victor ahead of Green, Cumberbatch and Cameron in that order. Green said he was not disheartened by his placing but it was more on the encouraging side.
Adrian Andries was the lone competitor in the Light Middleweight (166 – 176 lbs) division as was Curtis McKenzie who copped the newly introduced Men’s Fitness competition.
Marlon Bennett, who was Guyana lone silver medalist at last year Central American & Caribbean Championships, ruled the roost in the Lightweight category copping the top trophy ahead of Mike Morris with Sherlock Rigby 3rd and Romain Caesar 4th. Despite placing fourth in the Welterweight category, Sean Sooklall rebounded in style to win the Masters competition relegating his rival Alfred London to the runner-up spot in the two-man contest.
Devon Davis emerged as the best Bantamweight (144 – 154 lbs) on the night. In a close tussle, the Guyana Defence Force athlete – boasting a well toned physique – came out the winner over Travis Peters (2nd), Rudolph Blackman (3rd) and Melroy Grant.
Alisha Fortune continued her dominance of the sport on the distaff side with victory in the Ms. Body Fitness (Bikini Round & Whole Suit Round) and Ms. Guyana Physique. The latter category saw a Fortune coming up against her GDF colleague Kescia Beaton who had to settle for the runner-up position.
In the Bikini and whole suit competition, Fortune gained the judges nod ahead of Letitia Myles, Kescia Beaton and Daeseia Junor.
Patrons attending the show were treated to a Karate exhibition and an exhilarating dance routine by the Classique Dance Group.
It is not quite clear how many athletes Guyana will be sending to the CAC Championships set to take place in Aruba from September 22-26.
In brief comments after being crowned Mr. Guyana, Duke expressed gratitude to Mr. & Mrs. Videsh Sookram and the members of Total Fitness Gym for their support which enabled him to win the title.
He noted that he was able to achieve the pinnacle of success for a second time through hard work and commitment but he still has to focus on the CAC Championships.
The GABBFF will soon decide the composition of the team.
Similar Articles
THE BLUNT OF THE DAY
Sports
Features/Columnists
Berbice and Jagdeo’s legacy
Peeping Tom… Kaieteur News-By any reckoning, Region 6 should have been Guyana’s most prosperous region. It has a... more
OAS Secretary General Election and renewed OAS Consensus
Antiguan Barbudan Ambassador to the United States, Sir Ronald Sanders By Sir Ronald Sanders Kaieteur News- The upcoming election... more
Weekend Cartoon
