Bodybuilding Review reveals successful year

Dec 29, 2012 Sports

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-2013 deemed time for consolidation

By Franklin Wilson

Ever since Guyana hosted what was described at the time as the best Central American & Caribbean Bodybuilding & Fitness Championships in 2004 at the National Cultural Centre, the sport has suffered loss of interest from athletes and other individuals due to a number of factors in the ensuing years.
But with consorted efforts by a number of stakeholders and the governing body, the Guyana Amateur Body Building and Fitness Federation (GABBFF) in 2012 has seen a resurgence of that interest among athletes and individuals across the board.
No doubt there is an encouraging upsurge among persons in appreciating the need to be fit and adopting healthy lifestyles; this no doubt will lead to a healthier population and an ease on the health institutions and various chronic illnesses, as long as this positive attitude catches on and is maintained.

But back to the issue at hand, which is the ‘rebirth’ of the sport for the want of a better word. In 2012 alone, more than any other year in the recent history and memory of the sport, there were five (5) local competitions, including two privately promoted and that apart, the GABBFF was represented by four (4) athletes at the 40th CAC Championships in Puerto Rico while one athlete represented the Golden Arrowhead at the Darcy Beckles Invitational in Barbados.
The year muscled off with the newly elected body headed by President Kevon Bess making visits to Linden, East Coast, West Coast Demerara, East Bank Demerara and Berbice with a view of meeting the gyms aimed at forging closer relations with the gyms and athletes. The visits were described as successful.
In terms of on-stage competition that got going with the annual Novice and Intermediate Championships at the Theatre Guild on March 31, it was one of the better competitions in years. Both segments of the competition attracted a large turnout of athletes, something that was lacking for many years.
That breath of fresh air was a welcome sign for the sport and indeed there was no turning back for the remainder of the year. The competition was held under the theme, “Muscle Madness” and indeed it had the venue bursting at the seams with spectators, another welcome sign.
Emerging as the respective Novice and Intermediate winners were Donnell Perry (Buddy’s Gym) and Ebyo Orford (Total Fitness Gym).
Crowned Miss Physique (open) was Nadina Taharally (Interline Fitness Gym) with her club mate Sharon Lee taking the Miss Body Fitness (open) title.
Next up was the 3rd Biennial Hugh Ross Classic (HRC) competition which saw Buddies Gym Kerwin Clarke emerging as the new Overall HRC king after also winning the welterweight category.
On the distaff side, the Miss Physique crown went to the unstoppable Alisha Fortune (GDF Gym) with the Miss Body Fitness title going to Nadina Taharally (Interline Fitness Gym).
The federation’s senior championships, their marquee event came off at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall on October, 22, dubbed, “Rise of the Machines” and it was another success story for the local body with Devon Davis of the Guyana Defence Force Gym flexing his way to the Mr. Guyana title from a seasoned field which included former Mr. Guyana Clint Duke.
Fortune again emerged as the Queen ahead of her rival Ms. Taharally. The GABBFF was able to attract two guest posers; Jamaican born Canadian National Heavyweight Champion in the 33 – 45 age group {Masters} Tananarive McGowan and Guyanese Eustace Abraham who is also based in Canada. Both athletes added a touch of class to the evening and were well received by the crowd.
The next stop for the sport saw the return of Flex Night with the Flex Night International Show which took place at the National Cultural Centre and attracted athletes from Suriname. Actually, the eventual overall winner was Mr. Suriname, Soepe ‘The Little Dutchman’ Koese who despite a height disadvantage blew away the challenges that came his way from his Guyanese rivals, Rawle Green, Kerwin Clarke and Delon Harlequin.
The guest artist at this event was Dutch and European Body Fitness Queen, Gisa ter Haar. Like the Hugh Ross Classic Committee, Flex Night Incorporated also ran off regional Shows to select in some cases athletes for their respective final competition.
Seminars were also held by the Flex Night Group for athletes in Berbice while fitness experts from Holland also ran seminar on training and nutrition. This activity was conducted in association with the Suriname Weightlifting and Bodybuilding Federation.
The resource persons were Andrew Houtveer (International Coach), Rhinus van der Zeijden (International Fitness, Bodybuilding Coach & Consultant), and Gisa ter Haar. With 2012 no doubt being a successful one for the sport, athletes, fans and well wishers are hoping that the gains of this year will improve and the momentum will increase 2013.
GABBFF President Keavon Bess shares his views on the highs and lows of the year: “The GABBFF’s high point of the year should definitely be registered in its archives as the successful performances of our athletes at the Central America and Caribbean Championships. The financial troubles of the federation almost made it impossible to send a team to the above event. However, the due diligence and hard work of the selected team and the GABBFF made the trip possible and the gold medal made the hard and bitter work mellow and sweet.
The GABBFF received tremendous support from the corporate sector of Guyana and the Guyana Olympic Association. However, it is the hope of the GABBFF that the corporate sector will pump more finances into the sport.”
Looking ahead to the New Year, Bess pointed out that they will be tackling the issue of its constitution, taxation and registration of the entity while also seeking to bring off its list of competitions and overseas attendance.

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