GABBFF / Supligen Mr. Guyana 2015… Clarke retains title and bragging rights as top muscleman in the land

Jul 21, 2015 Sports

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Story and photos by Franklin Wilson

In what turned out to be an entertaining evening despite a few minor glitches including power failure twice, Buddy’s Gym member Kerwyn Clarke staved off spirited competition from five other category winners to retain his Mr. Guyana crown when the Supligen Mr. Guyana Body Building and Fitness Championships were held on Sunday evening last at the Park View Hotel, Farm, East Bank, Demerara.
Clarke, in his third consecutive year as champion, first took care of the his lone challenger in the Light Middleweight (166-176lbs) category, Alfred Jordan who went on to win the Masters division as the lone athlete, to out pose and out flex his rivals in the clash of champions – the overall showdown.
Apart from rearranging the six overall category winners, there was one comparison requested by judge # 1 of the seven judges on the night and that was between Clarke, Under-154 lbs winner Marlon Bennett (X-Treme Fitness Gym) and Over-176lbs champion, Sylvester Andrews who represented Body Max Gym.

When the dust was settled sometime after 23:00hrs, it was clear in the minds of the judges, their preferred choice for the Supligen Mr. Guyana 2015 crown. The announcement which was made by Guyana Amateur Body Building and Fitness Federation (GABBFF) President, Keavon Bess, the MC for the night was well met by the very supportive crowd on hand.
For his hard work in preparing his body towards retaining status as the best in the land, Clarke received $100,000 compliments of Supligen, a supplement hamper from Fitness Express, one 42″ LG TV donated by Digital Technology and a huge trophy as well as a case of Supligen and haversack from the competitions title sponsor.
Cash prizes being awarded to the top performers in each category was a first for the GABBFF. The first to third placed athletes in each category received $50,000, $30,000 and $20,000 along with trophies. Category winners were also presented with hampers compliments of Fitness Express.
Andrews had to pull out all the stops to win the Heavyweight class which attracted 7 competitors who all did a fine job in preparing their bodies for the ultimate championship in the Land of Many Waters.
By the time the judges were through following three different comparisons, it was indeed a watery stage with the athletes sweating profusely, a few even requesting towels to wipe away the perspiration but that was not allowed.
Judge #1 first requested a comparison between Rhon Lonke (Buddy’s Gym), Andrews, Alex Hamilton (Fitness Zone), Eustace Abraham (Canada based) and Shawn Henry of Buddy’s Gym.

Going through the seven compulsory poses (front lat spread, front double biceps, side chest, rear lat spread, rear double biceps, side triceps, abdominal and thigh) again still wasn’t enough to satisfy the judges in terms of arriving at the top four.
Judge #4 requested a further comparison between Lonke, Andrews, Raymond Stephen (Buddy’s), Henry and Hamilton. Yet another comparison was requested by Judge #5 and that was between Lonke, Henry and Andrews.
No doubt being exhausted by this point, the athletes were reminded that that is what they would have been training for. Eventually, Andrews emerged as the winner with Lonke taking 2nd place followed by Henry and Abraham.
The three way battle in the Welterweight (155-165lbs) category saw Buddy’s Gym member Mahendra Singh getting the better of his more seasoned campaigners, Caerus Cipriani (Fitness Paradise) and Sherlock Rigby (Total Fitness) in that order.
Ruling the roost in the Lightweight (144-154lbs) division was seasoned campaigner Marlon Bennett who was a clear winner from the time the athletes came on stage. The X-Treme Fitness member easily won from Jermaine Bacchus (Cyrex Fitness), Jamal Tinnie (Fitness Paradise) and Demetri Chan (Interline Fitness).

Rashleigh Bentick of Fitness Paradise continued his winning form from Gym Expo with victory in the Bantamweight (Under-143lbs) and Junior (Under 21 years) categories to cap off a memorable night.
Kevin Bobb-Semple representing Total Fitness Gym had to settle for the second place in the bantamweight category while Bentick’s gym mate Tyrone Eusibio took the third place trophy.
Second place junior was Zalim Bacchus (Tej Mahall Gym) who came back to win the Flyweight (Under-132lbs) class. Third was Jamal Tinnie.
For the first time on the GABBFF senior championships stage, the Men’s Physique category was contested and this was won by Emmerson Campbell of Body Max Gym from a field of 9 contestants.
Campbell’s gym mate Yannick Grimes placed second in a challenging contest; Coel Marks (Buddy’s Gym) had to settle for third with his gym buddy Shawn Henry fourth.
On the distaff side, dominant female athlete Alisha Fortune of the Guyana Defence Force Gym had to settle for the runner-up position in the Miss Bikini contest to Buddy’s Gym member, Junica Pluck with Olivia Bess of Total Fitness taking third.
However, the multi talented Fortune, who is set to represent Guyana at the World Masters Athletic Outdoor Championship next month in France, turned the tables on Pluck in the Miss Body Fitness contest, Bess again earned the third place.
Guest Poser Huskin ‘Biscuits’ Worrell of Barbados, a 16-time CAC gold medalist in the Under-176lb category entertained the fans during his routine. He was also presented with gifts from both Supligen and Fitness Express.
Brand Manager of Nestle, Treion D’Anjou in remarks prior to the competition congratulated the athletes for making the show possible whilst he also thanked the fans for coming out in their numbers to support the athletes.
GABBFF President Bess also placed both Supligen and Fitness Express on the spot by challenging them to support the GABBFF in sending a large contingent of athletes to the CAC Championships set for the Bahamas later this year.

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