GUYANA’S world  renowned bodybuilder, Hugh Arlington Ross, last Saturday adorned himself with international glory when he claimed the 2010 Mr. Universe title which was held in London, England from a field of 33 competitors. According to Minister of Sport, Dr Frank Anthony, Ross made contact with him yesterday and informed him of his success on the international bodybuilding stage and while the details were sketchy, his achievements made him the first Guyanese to achieve such a feat.
Ross was born on June 26, 1959 in Guyana and, prior to migrating to the USA, he served as an officer in the Guyana Defence Force from 1980 to 1989, up until his resignation which was tendered while he held the rank of Captain.
Some of his appointments were as a Platoon Commander, Ground Forces Group Instructor, Training Corps OC Recruit Division, Training Corps OC Tacoma Battle School, Training Corps Adjutant, Training Corps OC 31 Airborne Coy, Special Force Battalion OC School of Special Warfare, Special Forces Bn OC Jungle Warfare Division and Special Forces Battalion.
Hugh is a former power lifting champion and has many titles under his belt, hence it is no wonder the thick and mature muscle density he displays as a bodybuilder.
Hugh’s first power lifting competition was the New York Bench Press Championships in August of 1994, which he carted off easily, while he participated in the Connecticut State Championship one year later and placed fourth despite suffering from a partially torn right hamstring.
Up next was the Battle of Saratoga in Upstate New York, where he took the title with a first place finish in the Open, Sub-masters, and Lifetime categories respectively.
The following year, he moved to the big time show and traveled to Hamilton, Canada for the Pan American Championships in August where he placed third, while he entered the Connecticut Push and Pull Classic in November of that year and walked away with the dead lift title and a second place finish in the bench press.
As a power lifter, Hugh’s best poundage was a squat of 650lbs, Bench Press of 430lbs, and a dead lift of 688lbs.
He has not only taken from the sport of bodybuilding, but also given back to same by sponsoring the Hugh Ross Classic (HRC), a bodybuilding show that is being sanctioned by the Guyana Amateur Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation (GABBFF) and held every two years.
In his congratulatory message to the famed bodybuilder who has an off-season weight of 212 pounds and competes at a weight of 193 lbs, Dr Anthony lauded Ross for his persistence in going after his goal.
“I must congratulate him for doing exemplary well. The Mr. Universe title is one of the top bodybuilding shows in the world and for Hugh Ross to be given such a title meant he is the best in the world.
“He is the first Guyanese to achieve such a feat, which helped showcase Guyana to the world and I wish to congratulate him for his persistence in going after this title, one that he was after from the time he entered the sport of bodybuilding,” stated Dr. Anthony.
He added: “On behalf of the people of Guyana, I wish to extend heartfelt congratulations to him and wish him continued success in the future, as he flies the Golden Arrowhead proudly wherever he goes to compete.”
“Hugh definitely has what it takes with his great discipline and motivation and determination to move right up in the bodybuilding ranks, he has it all. The improvements he made in his physique are just amazing. He is a great role model and it shows,” the minister added.
Congrats Hugh and keep up the good work.

PULL QUOTE:
“I must congratulate him for doing exemplary well. The Mr. Universe title is one of the top bodybuilding shows in the world and for Hugh Ross to be given such a title meant he is the best in the world. He is the first Guyanese to achieve such a feat, which helped showcase Guyana to the world and I wish to congratulate him for his persistence in going after this title, one that he was after from the time he entered the sport of bodybuilding.” – Dr.  Frank Anthony