By Elroy Stephney

BODYBUILDING remains quite a rare sport in Essequibo, with not many opportunities available. While there are a few gyms with weight-lifting equipment, there isn’t any association within the county to promote competitions.

Surprisingly though, 24-year-old Ghamsham Goberdan of Golden Fleece on the Essequibo Coast fell in love with the sport about three years ago but he has since been a revelation to the sport.

The supremely fit and evenly balanced ‘strong-man’ is a member of both the ‘LL FITNESS and ROY’S Gym in Region 2 and trains for one and a half hours, Monday to Friday, with emphasis on one body part per session.

In a recent interview with Chronicle Sport, the affable bodybuilder disclosed that while there are multiple challenges, he has gained a great deal of satisfaction and honour in participating in competitive tournaments.

“It’s very hard sharing my time between work and training as well as sticking to strict eating habits, but this is what I love doing and I’m very proud of my achievements so far” is how he reasoned about staying committed to the art.

Goberdan’s first real test was in 2018 when he competed in the ‘Stage of Champions’ tournament and brought third in the bodyweight class of 143 pounds. He followed up in the 2019 Novices Championship with another third-place finish.

“I was not pleased with my last rating and so I’m training extremely hard for my next assignment in October another annual feature of the Stage of Champions competition.

“My intention for this season is to achieve a first, given that I have gained experience, maturity and I’m steadfastly improving on my technical capability,” he acknowledged. “I’m proud as an Essequibian since I have been able to compete in nationally sanctioned competitions and among the best in the country. ‘My foreseeable goal too is to gain selection and represent my country which will be a dream come through,”

Already a house hold name in Essequibo due to his exploits and menacingly firm physique, Goberdan who is employed with Banks DIH has already joined another stalwart, Daramdeo Lall of Walton Hall as being Essequibo’s most accomplished bodybuilders.

The journey has now begun for the dashingly confident Goberdan and according to him, “I’m prepared to shoulder the weight of Essequibo into becoming a champion and I will not relinquish that enormous responsibility until I’m crowned.”

He credited his elevation to the sound advice of coaches Kennedy Lyndon of’ LL Fitness and Parvattan Neel and Kenetth Melville of Roy’s Fitness Gym. He was also loud in praise for his parents for their unwavering support as well as Banks DIH who sponsored him previously.

While he remains studiously focussed, Goberdan is a typically outgoing individual who also loves a game of pools or hitting a few sixes in a T20 match. His never-say-die attitude, strong self-discipline, desire to learn new concepts and being a tough character are indeed compelling attributes that continue to drive Goberdan to the limit in his quest for supremacy.