Thursday, March 28, 2024

Regal Ramon repeats

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Whoever said bodybuilding is dead? Regal Ramon Broomes, big Kirk Alleyne and wonder boy Shaquile Lavine, traded shot after shot for nearly 30 compelling minutes and ignited the 2018 Mr Bridgetown contest Saturday night at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Conference Centre.

When the dust had settled, Broomes, cut like a diamond and in his best form in six years, was standing tall and repeating as champion of Barbados’ longest standing muscle contest. He had to be at his best to knock off Alleyne, the biggest man on stage and the much vaunted Lavine.

“I feel great. Last year felt good but this means more. I like to know that I am competing against people who are of a high calibre. It is one thing to win, but the question is who have you beaten, and it is satisfying to beat both Shaquile and Kirk.

“The key was conditioning. I really brought it this time and I know, for me, it could be a lot better and I am working towards that for the Nationals (June 30). It is a package that can be improved, a work in progress,” he said.

Before an audience that included former world-class bodybuilders Earl Maynard, Loftus Roach and Harcourt Skinner, international singer Eddy Grant and former match sprint cycling champion and Olympian Roderick Chase, Broomes showed his best form since his titanic, triumphant duel with Hoskins “Biscuits” Worrell at the 2012 Nationals. His huge razor sharp quads and sweep of the thighs were second to none while his balance and proportions put him ahead in the symmetry round.

The beefy Alleyne, parading monstrous shoulders, thundered on stage with over 200 pounds of muscle. He looked impressive from the front but when he turned around, his lack of detail in his glutes and hamstrings was exposed.

Lavine looked a little fuller than last year and fought every inch of the way. One of only four men to win the Mr Teenager and Mr Bridgetown on the same night, Lavine found it tough facing two men in prime form. Broomes more than matched him for muscle and Alleyne outgunned him for size.

When MC Kirk Brown announced Lavine for third place at 9:06 p.m., he collected his medal from renowned bodybuilding champion of the 1970s Darcy Beckles, threw it on the floor and then stomped off stage, leaving it behind. His unsportsmanlike behaviour spoiled a solid programme.

David Small, in his best performance, to date was fourth. He was in good condition but he clearly needs a wider back and more beef on his shoulders. The persistent Roger Streete completed the top five.

Earlier in the night, Reemar Butcher joined the list of Mr Teenager winners that date back to 1956. Far ahead in terms of width and muscle density, Butcher was the class of the seven-man group for those 16 years and over. Ricardo Best was second and Jayde Germain third.

Trayvean Harvey ruled the category for those between 13 and 16. Damar Elcock was second and Chad Payne, third.

The newest addition to the programme, the Mr and Miss Sexy Bridgetown, did not quite sparkle. There were just five women and 22-year-old Sara Forde was the first choice for celebrity judges Miss Barbados 2003 Raquel Wilkinson, media personality Anthony Admiral Nelson and president of the Barbados Amateur Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation Dr Alfred Sparman.

Most of the audience had their eyes on rugged and imposing 26-year-old Tyrell Forde, a maintenance coordinator at Accra Beach Hotel, but the judges voted for 24-year-old volleyball player, Klode Thompson. (MK)

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