… following CAC outing

THERE could be a shake-up in the dates for some events on the calendar of the Guyana Amateur Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation (GABBFF), according to its president Keavon Bess, as the national team returned from the 42nd Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Amateur Bodybuilding Championships, early yesterday morning.

Of a five-member team, two athletes made it through the pre-judging stage, with only one, Devon Davis, landing a medal – gold in the flyweight class which was his third gold and second successful defence of the title he first won in 2012.
Bess, who also represented Guyana at the Congress was elected to the legal council of the CAC body, while reigning Mr Guyana, Kerwin Clarke who finished fourth in the welterweight class went on to the USA to compete at another event in the coming days.
Overseas-based Bruce Whatley and Rawle Greene did not make it past the pre-judging round, as did the lone female athlete Alisha Fortune
Bess said definite changes are to be made to next year’s calendar to give athletes a better chance at landing more podium finishes.
He said the Novices and Senior National events could be held earlier in 2015, to give not only the athletes, but the GABBFF the opportunity to put systems in place to ensure athletes are not distracted ahead of major competitions.
He pointed out the age-old issue of sponsorship as the major factor, a point echoed by Fortune, who competed in the Body Fitness class for the first time on the international stage, while the CAC has taken the decision to drop that category from events.
The body fitness class looks for a more toned physique that is complemented with expensive shiny bathing suits, heels, well manicured fingers and toes as well as hair and make-up – quite an expensive package.
Fortune said she was forced to run around at the last minute in order to secure enough money to make the trip, telling Chronicle Sport that she was forced to run the COURTS 10km road race less than a week before the event, in a bid to raise money.
From her review, she said her legs needed work or ‘a bit of flair’ as she described it to achieve better symmetry, saying it was the deciding factor as she received kudos on the development of her upper body.
That aside, Fortune said the experience was a good one and she’s looking forward to 2015, but she also wants the federation to impress upon the judges, the need to upgrade their skills in judging for the body fitness class. They need to stop choosing the soft-physiques because those women at CAC look almost like bodybuilders.’
The ‘golden boy’ Davis, also had his fair share of ups and downs in securing sponsorship, adding that the time between the senior national championships and the CAC is too short to secure adequate sponsorship. He is however grateful for those who pitched in.
On his performance, he said he’s overwhelmed to have won a third gold and to have had the Golden Arrowhead flown in another land.
Davis, who is a member of the Guyana Defence Force, is taking it easy for the remainder of the year adding he’s now focused on his wedding, while for 2015 those in the flyweight class will have a relief as he is moving up to the lightweight division, posing a formidable threat to his competitors there.
At the next CAC, he wants to compete in the bantamweight class, the division former Mr Guyana and former three-time CAC gold medallist Sylvan Gardner dominated, almost a decade ago.

(By Leeron Brumell)