by MIKE KING

THE DARCY BECKLES INVITATIONAL CLASSIC proved there is still much work to be done on the local bodybuilding scene.

Organisers Erin Promotions must be commended for trying to get the best bodybuilders from Barbados and the Caribbean in competition and at the same time honour the local sport's biggest star of the 1970s, but it has to be said there were few fireworks over the weekend.

Both the Classic and the open contest which preceded the main event, lacked depth and overall quality.

Hoskins Worrell preserved his reputation, Laron Gibson completed an impressive season, but there was little else for the audience to scream about.

Anderson "Fish" Bispham is still nowhere near his best and must know he requires more thigh sweep and a fuller look. Therold Babb was full, thick and in much better shape than he was at nationals. He has pleasing shape and symmetry but his upper chest remains weak and he still needs to come in sharper.

Babb was fourth in the open contest and missed the chance to stand on stage in the Classic which had just six entrants.

The absence of Martinus Durrant, Ross Caesar and Ricardo "Cou Cou" Bascombe, didn't help. Bascombe acknowledged he wasn't in contest shape, but it is still unclear why Durrant and Caesar weren't around when huge financial incentives were on offer with the first prize cheque valued at $4 000.

The young guns Ramon Broomes and Damien Harewood didn't come to the party and were a disappointing seventh and eighth in the open contest. Since capturing the regional junior title, Broomes has now had two modest results - he was eighth at World Juniors - and must now head back to the drawing board.

Prescott, who is now being nicknamed Mr Second Place, said he didn't have enough time to prepare.

"I just didn't have time. In between my full-time job working night, and then working in the gym, was really hectic. I had the backing of a sponsor for the Nationals and the CAC Championships, but not for this competition. My preparation for this contest came out of my pocket, so it was physically and financially taxing," he said.

The figure competition had some quality, but lacked the numbers with just four entrants. Winner Tamesha Lewis said she was disappointed with the number of competitors in the body figure.

"I was shocked, but I guess it takes a lot of commitment to compete and everybody might not have the sponsorship and time necessary to put into the sport," she said.

Guest poser Leo "Battleship" Ingram went into the audience and was a hit, especially with the female fans, but many of them would have been happier if he was a bit sharper. This is off-season for the pros and the contest organisers may have to look at staging the Classic around June and July, to have a pro in something close to contest shape.

However, it was good to have Ingram here. He was gracious all the way through and had time for all and sundry, signing autographs for the fans and providing tips to the bodybuilders.