Classic opens Ramona’s eyes

FIGURE queen Ramona Morgan has hailed the Arnold Classic Brazil as an eye-opener and beyond the standard of the Central American and  Caribbean (CAC) Championships.

Morgan, the most experienced figure competitor in Barbados, is on a high after returning home with two top six finishes, landing fourth in the Open class and fifth in the Masters at last weekend’s global show in Sao Paulo.

“I feel great. When I got to Brazil, I told head coach Roger Boyce that I am taking home one of those trophies, which means a top-six place. I was confident all along.

Demanding

“To be honest, the Arnold Classic Brazil was more demanding than CAC in terms of the standard. The competition was rough. The classes were big, so you as a Bajan had to fight to get up there to the top and I guess it worked for me.”

Morgan said the show was a huge learning experience for the nine-member team.

“Brazil was truly an eye-opener for the entire team, we learned a lot.”

She acknowledged she was outgunned in the size department.

“Most of the girls were bigger than me but I have the shape and the conditioning. These women were huge on that level. For CAC, I am good on that level but for the international stage I have to be bigger.

“I have made the top six in two contests, so I am very happy with my performance. Once I made the top six, I am good,” she said.

Shoulders

The stylish Morgan admits she has to pack some beef on our shoulders and tighten her glutes.

“I have an awesome back but I need to bring up my shoulders and tighten my rear. I was one of the smallest girls in my class, but I did well because of my shape and I presented the conditioning they wanted,” she said.

“It is about putting some mass for that level. CAC level is a different level altogether, so based on the shows that you do, you have to carry the package to suit where you are going.

“There are many things you have to take in to your prep. Nationals is one thing, CAC is one thing, the international stage is another. I wore my hair straight [in Brazil] – I normally wear it curly – because I was next to Latino women who wear long, flowing hair, so I had to blend in,” she said.

Morgan said that local athletes could hold their own for the most part with their international counterparts.

“We do have good athletes. Compared to what I saw backstage and on stage, our posing is on par. We can hold on our own,” she said. (MK)