… Over $1M in cash up for grabs

REIGNING Mr Guyana Marlon ‘Bolo’ Bennett and National Bikini champion Rosanna Fung are among some of the big names registered to compete in next month’s Guyana Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation (GBBFF)/Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport ‘Resilience’ competition.

The event is set to be spectator-free since organisers are looking to follow COVID-19 regulations.

Bennett and Fung, who both won their titles at the 2019 Senior Bodybuilding and Fitness Championships, will be joined by former five-time Mr Guyana Kerwin Clarke, who has agreed to be the guest poser at the event.

According to information from the federation, over $1M in cash is up for grabs.

Each of the four categories: Bodybuilding Lightweight (all athletes at 165 pounds and lower), Bodybuilding Heavyweight (all athletes at 166 pounds and higher). Ms Bikini and Men’s Physique will have $100 000 as the first prize, while the second place winners will collect $70 000 and the third-placers $50 000.

Additionally, the overall winner of the bodybuilding segment would receive $200 000.

According to a release from the federation, CAC finalist Darius Ramsammy, Guyana’s Strong Man winner Carlos Petterson-Griffith, the reigning 2020 Men’s Physique champion Jonathan Jeffrey and the 2020 Novices Bikini champion Ashanti Conway will join a number of other big names for the event.

In total some 36 athletes are billed to take to the stage.

The release noted that the organisers will adhere to all of the Ministry of Health COVID-19 rules.

“Athletes, backstage personnel and the executive of GBBFF undertake to observe all COVID-19 protocols. While on stage athletes will be required to stand 6 feet apart and backstage athletes will be required to wear their masks and maintain the mandatory physical distancing. Judges will be seated 6 feet from each other and will be required to wear their masks.”

The event would be streamed live on social media.