Kevin Edwards and Kerwin Clarke capture overall titles

Mar 29, 2011 Sports

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Kerwin Clarke - overall Novice winner collecting his trophy from Giftland Office Max Rep. Compton Bobb

By Franklin Wilson

Kevin Edwards of Winderoju Gym, Berbice and Kerwin Clarke captured the respective Intermediate and Novice overall crowns when the Guyana Amateur Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation held their first competition for the year 2011 on Sunday Night at the National Cultural Centre.
Despite not having a packed audience and a few glitches with the music for the free posing routine for some of the athletes, patrons enjoyed an evening of muscle flexing, the men’s and women’s fitness segment making a welcome return to the local arena.
Edwards, who competed in the Novices championships, last year which was held in the Ancient County of Berbice opted not to participate immediately in the Intermediate aspect, preferring to do so one year later.
His wait was worth the while and ever since his appearance in the Heavyweight category which he won following the late withdrawal of Dexter ‘Bushman’ Garnett of Buddies Gym, his well balanced body made the job of the judges easier in the pose down between the three category champions, which he won, hands down.
Devon Wray, who won the Under-165 category in the Novice competition, came back to take the Middleweight division from Franklin Mercurius who was the other athlete in this category, while Kerwin Clarke, who was not part of the first of three comparisons requested by the judging panel, stepped up to the plate at the higher level to win the Lightweight division from a field of five other competitors.
Dexter Garnett, after many years of contemplating finally decided to make the bold step of competing and his timing proved to be on the button as he claimed the Over 177 lbs category as the lone athlete among the Novices while he earlier waded off the challenge of two other competitors to claim the top spot in the Masters (Over 40).
The night’s activity saw just two females competing in the Miss Body Beautiful and Women’s Fitness competitions.
Nadina Taharally of Interline Fitness Gym did enough to catch the eyes of the 7-judge panel to win the Miss Body Beautiful contest from Nevon Arno of Dance Fanatics. Arno however, was the lone competitor for the Women’s Fitness showdown.
It was an all Dance Fanatics cast in the battle for the top spot in the Men’s Fitness competition which was won by Quason Nelson. Ivelaw Campbell took the runner-up spot with Luke James 3rd.
The choreography for the performances of all the fitness (males & female) competitors, given their dancing background was innovative and expertly presented. This was well received by the small but appreciative and vocal crowd on hand.
Ruling the roost in the Under-21 category was another Berbician athlete in Roscoe Joseph of Winderoju Gym. Joseph took the top spot after two comparisons were requested by the judges among five competitors, Joseph was the only one requested in both of the comparisons which involved three athletes in each instance.
GABBFF President Fiona Harris said that the federation was generally pleased with the outcome of this year’s championships pointing out that there is a lot of untapped talent which the body intends to pursue.
Harris also noted that the quality of the bodies on stage has improved while recognizing the efforts of the Berbice Representative Saens Sooklall.
Following is the full list of results and placings:
Women’s Fitness – Nevon Arno (Dance Fanatics)
Miss Body Beautiful – Nadina Taharally (Interline Fitness); Nevon Arno – (Dance Fanatics)
Men’s juniors – Roscoe Joseph (Winderoju – Berbice); Franken Mercurius (Winderoju); Mahendra Singh (Pro Fitness); Ryan Caesar (Winderoju). The other two in this category were e Aquon Fredericks and Mario Downer.
Men’s Masters – Dexter Garnett (Buddy’s Gym); Graham Thomas (Winderoju); Narine Bhowandin (Winderoju).
Under-143 – Andy Rogers (Guyana Defence Force); Joel Flatts (Total Fitness – East Bank); Graham Thomas (Winderoju); Patrick Bristol (Guyana Defence Force).
Under-154 – Kerwin Clarke (Zahiff’s Gym); Alvin Goodman (Winderoju); Terrence Morris (Guyana Defence Force); Mahendra Singh (Pro Fitness).
Under-165 – Devon Wray (Total Fitness); Roscoe Joseph (Winderoju); Narine Bhowandin (Pro Fitness); Andrew Cush (Guyana Defence Force); Feroz Khan (Pro Fitness)
Under-176 – Franken Mercurius (Winderoju); Komalram Ghanshan (Zahiff’s Gym).
177 and Over Dexter Garnett – Buddy’s Gym.
Overall novice winner – Kerwin Clarke (Zahiff’s Gym)
Men’s Fitness – Quason Nelson; Ivelaw Campbell; Luke James all of Dance Fanatics.
INTERMIDIATE
Lightweight – Kerwin Clarke (Zahiff’s Gym); Andy Rogers (Guyana Defense Force); Alvin Goodman (Winderoju); Graham Thomas (Winderoju); Terrence Morris (Guyana Defence Force); Mahendra Singh (Pro Fitness)
Middleweight – Franken Mercurius (Winderoju); Devon Wray (Total Fitness).
Heavyweights – Kevin Edwards (Winderoju)
Overall INTERMIDIATE winner – Kevin Edwards
All the first place as well as the overall winners were presented with hampers compliments of Fitness Express, Specialists in health and fitness products.

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