Hoskyn Worrell and Stevenson Belle may have people to worry about other than each other this weekend as they go after the first prize cheque of $4 000 at the Darcy Beckles Invitational Classic.
That’s because Bermudan police officer Gavin Phillips, who was second in the heavyweight class at last month’s Central American and Caribbean (CAC) in St Martin, is stepping on stage this Saturday night at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre.
Contest promoter Roger Boyce told the MIDWEEK NATION, that Phillips was bound to be a threat and would add impetus to the regional event that had attracted entrants from Guyana, Trinidad & Tobago, Antigua, Bermuda and host country Barbados.
What’s more, there is word that the dynamic 22-year-old Ramon Broomes, the overall 2012
Mr Barbados winner, is returning to something close to his best form and will be one to watch.
“Ramon is making improvement and is gradually coming back. He will be in the hunt. Ramon should do well,” Boyce added.
Worrell, the reigning Mr Barbados, who has won five of the previous six contests, remains the favourite but he must know he will be pushed all the way by a tough field that includes a three-time CAC light heavyweight champion eager to win the classic for the first time.
Former Mr Bridgetown Dorell Coulthrust, who took fourth in the light heavyweight class at the CAC Championships, is bringing his huge shoulders and arms to the stage to face a challenge that will include big Antiguans light heavyweight Steve Williams and super heavyweight Olwyn Martin.
The invitational event will be preceded by an open contest that will attract reigning Mr Bridgetown Dario Bryan, former Mr Bridgetown Joe Bourne, Mr Teenager Shaquille Lavine and the promising Dave Archer.
The annual contest is beefed up this year with the presence of reigning Miss Olympia Iris Kyle, who won an unprecedented tenth title last month and then announced her retirement. The imposing African American, a former basketball point guard, arrives in Barbados today for her eagerly awaited guest posing exhibition.
“Iris is special. It is an exhibition no one should miss. She is an all-time great and I am happy to bring her here,” Boyce added.
Kyle is the second Miss Olympia to come to Barbados. Lenda Murray, winner of eight Olympia crowns, guest posed here at the George Street Auditorium in 1992 at the Bernard Sealy Classic.
The men’s physique competition should produce another duel between Barbados and Caribbean divisional champion Jamil Jones and the resilient Ryan Haynes.
They will renew their rivalry from the nationals at which they had such an absorbing duel in the class for entrants up to 178 centimetres.
On that occasion, Jamil Jones, the rugged 29-year-old personal trainer at J & S Sports Academy, looked more imposing but Haynes competing on behalf of Flawless Concepts, had a more pleasing shape and bigger shoulders. Jones won then, but Haynes is good enough to turn the tables this weekend.
Barbados representatives Domini Alleyne and Shakira Doughlin headline the popular bikini fitness contest.
Alleyne, the overall queen at the nationals, is the favourite in a field missing nationals divisional winner Lana Richards and Barbados Caribbean class champions Natalie Webb and Melissa Burrowes.
Soweto Hoyte, Vickie-Ann Hope and LeDonna Crawford, all of whom did reasonably well at the nationals, have still to confirm their participation.
