The?Belle family of Ellerton, St George, is taking local sport by storm.
Stevenson Belle, first cousin of Barbados’ newest track and field star, Tia-Adana Belle, blazed the bodybuilding trail in Trinidad and Tobago Saturday night by capturing the 2013 Sportworld Classic overall title at the Joao Havelange Centre of Excellence in Macoya.
“It’s unbelievable. I am really elated. Tia has made her mark on the international track stage and I am just pleased that I am doing well on the bodybuilding stage,” he said.
“Tia has a silver medal at the World Youth Championships and is a top girl and it is great that the two of us have stepped up to the plate in the same weekend.”
The rugged Coast Guard officer walked away with TT$12 000 (BDS $4 000) after a titanic duel with Richard Noel, of Trinidad and Tobago, for the overall crown.
Belle, 32, the Mr Barbados 2011 champion, spearheaded the performance from traditionally strong Barbados, with Hoskin “Biscuits” Worrell and Joseph “Runt”?Bourne also making their mark.
The durable Worrell, a multiple divisional winner at the Central American And Caribbean (CAC) Championships, was the king of the middleweight class, while Bourne, fresh from taking this year’s Mr Bridgetown title, prevailed in the masters’ division.
“This was one of my best performances. I was full and hard and showed plenty of improvement in my back and hamstrings. I was in really good shape.
“As I get older, the muscle maturity is coming. I thought that my balanced physique did the trick. This was a tough show and it is good to deliver away from home,” said a delighted Belle, who took the light heavyweight division en route to the posedown of class winners.
Belle told the DAILY?NATION he was also pleased to have had sponsorship for the trip from Guardsman (Barbados) Ltd.
The contest, produced by former Caribbean champion Lawrence “The Beast”?Marshall, also featured memorable guest posing displays from world-class pros Shawn “Flexatron”?Rhoden and Cedric McMillan.
Rhoden, who was born in Jamaica, won four events last year and was an impressive third in the Mr Olympia behind Phil “The Gift” Heath and Kai “The Predator”?Greene.
He and the 6ft 1in McMillan, the winner of last year’s New York Pro, wooed a large audience with their huge, muscular physiques.
Marshall has already had three Mr Olympia winners guest pose at his event. Last year, Heath gave an exhibition which followed appearances by Jay Cutler in 2010 and the great Ronnie Coleman in 2006.
Among the women, Trinidad and?Tobago’s T’Chelle Harris was adjudged the 2013 Sportworld Classic Body Fitness overall champion.
