No mass but class at Bodybuilding Championships

Despite the absence of some big names in local bodybuilding, the St Lucia Amateur Bodybuilding Association staged a very entertaining National Championship Saturday evening at the National Cultural Centre.

With no household names competing, it gave less prominent individuals and newcomers the opportunity to take centre stage in this competition and boy did they ever make the best of it. This night was not about body mass but looking lean and mean.

In a relatively new category Dylan Boulogne of La Borde’s emerged, as the top bodybuilder on the night winning the Men’s Physique class. Vel’s Fitness Centre which was prominent in this competition took the next three positions. Yannick Thomas placed second followed by Denver Williams and Donovan Denis.

In the Intermediate class, Leonardo Esnard of La Borde’s Gym took top spot, followed by Kirton Herbert, also of La Borde’s Gym. Anthony Maynard placed third followed by Leyon Hippolyte. The two bodybuilders represented Sidonie Brothers Gym.

Stephan Amadie, who had no one to compete against, (maybe he scared off the competition) placed first in the novice division.

A major disappointment was the fact there was no competition for the ladies although a bikini contest was on the agenda. As usual the classy Velda John gave the guys something to cheer about with a solo routine. She later teamed up with Monica Dudley for a fitness exhibition which had plenty of sex appeal.

The show may have lacked what we refer to as hardcore bodybuilders, but guest poser Andrew Jemmott more than made up for that. He displayed a muscular and well tapered physique that had the audience begging for more. Jemmott is from Barbados but lives in the United States. He is among several Caribbean bodybuilders who have excelled at international competitions including our own Rick Wayne.

The big winners on the night at Saturday’s National Bodybuilding Championships.