[dropcap]B[/dropcap]odybuilders gave a good account of themselves at the recent 45th CAC Bodybuilding Championship in Mexico, placing second in one division and third in two others.
The team coached by Julian Felix consisted of four athletes who returned home without any fanfare, after arriving at George FL Charles Airport Tuesday morning at approximately 7:50 am.
Following are the results from the competition: Velda John – third place Body Fitness 163cm; Joneil Pelage – second place, Junior Bodybuilding; Worrell Eristhee – fourth place, Men’s Physique 175cm; St George Prospere – third place, Welter Weight Bodybuilding; Joneil Pelage – fourth place, Middle Weight Bodybuilding.
Prospere who has won several bodybuilding titles here and was the overall Champion at the recent Nationals was somewhat satisfied with his performance.
During a training session at Vel’s Fitness Centre he told me: “To be honest I was looking for first place, but I am satisfied with where I placed because they had about seven of us in my class and I managed to place third so I am satisfied.”
When asked what was the difference between first and third he replied: “I don’t really know for sure, because I did not pay that much attention to the other fellas. My main focus was to go there and do my best. I did not want anything to distract me, so while on stage I was just focusing on my posing. Next time and there will be a next time, I am looking to take first place.”
Like Prospere, John has dominated the St Lucian landscape in national competitions. She took a break from entering previous CAC competitions, but made a triumphant return with a third place finish this year.
John who is the proprietor of Vel’s Fitness Centre would have liked more time preparing for this year’s competition. She admitted having to teach classes took its toll, however, under the circumstances was pleased with her placing.
Eristhee is a newcomer to the sport but in a short time made a name for himself. At this year’s Nationals he placed first in the men’s physique category which was his first ever competition. He topped that with a fourth place finish at CAC among the eight competitors he faced.
“Commenting on CAC he said: “I was very nervous at first but eventually I got my groove and really got into it.”
It is quite a while St Lucia had not been represented at this championship with so many athletes. The St Lucia Amateur Bodybuilding and Fitness Association thanked the National Lotteries Authorities, St Lucia Olympic Committee Inc, LUCELEC, Ministry of Youth Development and Sports, along with many other persons who contributed and made the trip to Mexico possible.
The Association is ecstatic their athletes did their best and produced results. With a little more assistance, officials here are confident they will do better at future championships. Next on their list is the Darcey Beckles competition set for Barbados in September later this year.
In related news, at the 45th CAC General Assembly a new executive was elected to run the affairs of the CAC Federation for the next four years. The president Giovani Arnez was reelected as presented. There were changes to a few members on the executive.
St Lucia’s Jacqueline Trim was elected President of the Eastern Caribbean Region and Vice President of CAC. Former bodybuilder Monica Dudley was elected to serve on the Anti-Doping Commission of the CAC. Both ladies are executive members of the St Lucia Amateur Bodybuilding and Fitness Association.
