Nana has best body
by David Ashby
Jonathan Nana is a fine example of hard work paying off.
On Friday night he proved he was the best when he captured the Senior Bodybuilding Title at the Sunshine Cereals Mr Schoolboy and Miss Body Fitness Championships at The St Michael School which was organised by the National Sports Council.
Every year after his first schoolboy competition about four years ago when he represented Harrison College, Nana has been able to take his physique to a higher level, and after placing third last year, he felt that this year he was going to take home the trophy, and so he did in grand style.
He was symmetrical, carried more lean muscle mass than he had ever carried at Schoolboy, and he posed well, which enabled him to also capture Most Muscular and Best Poser.
Nana, who is now a University of the West Indies student, no doubt sees this as the first of many titles to come his way and will be looking to impress bodybuiding fans even moreso next year in other muscle contests.
Second-placed Devon Franklyn, of Barbados Community College, made a good showing. He had a balanced shape and was in good condition. He could be one of the top young bodybuilders in Barbados if he wants to be.
Romel Harewood of Samuel Jackman Prescod Polytechnic came third and Jeffrey Gay of Barbados Community College, fourth. Gay exuded plenty of confidence and flair on stage, but has to appear in better condition if he intends to make a mark in the sport.
In the Senior Girls Body Fitness, not much could have separated the top three. However, the title went to Kelly-ann Skeete of Alexandra School, second place went to Jenila Atherley of Lodge and Jeanna Johnson of BBC came third. These three were a good example of what judges look for in body fitness. They were shapely, carried lean muscle, stood erect and looked confident before the judges.
In the Upper Junior Boys’ (age 12-15) Bodybuilding, Shaquille Lavine was unlucky not to have won the title. Winner Shaquille Kellman was more muscular, especially in the upper body. That was the only advantage he possessed against Lavine, who had the better symmetry, six-pack abs and posed much better than Kellman.
It is hoped that Lavine is not too disheartened by this loss and continues in the sport because he could, in the future, win the senior title for Princess Margaret. Second place in this category went to Zachary Browne of St George Secondary.
National Sports Council assistant director of sports Adrian Donovan was very pleased with the competitors and the support from all who attended, and thanked Angela Layne, Jacqueline Blenman, Sastree Arthur for assisting with the championships, and Hugo Downes for technical support.