THE?THREE?Bs could dominate this weekend’s National Bodybuilding, Fitness and Figure Championships.
Vickie Borman, Ricardo Bascombe and Stevenson Belle, are almost certain to have an impact at Saturday night’s show slated for The Plantation.
Borman has made an impressive transition from the bodybuilding arena to the figure stage. The eye-popping hardcore muscle has been replaced by poise, style and tone.
She steps on stage for the first time this season on the back of a clear-cut triumph last November at the Darcy Beckles Invitational Classic last November.
Borman is setting her sights on the international arena.
“When I am training, I don’t study competition in Barbados. My focus is international and when I look at those international girls, I know I can stand next to them and that is my aim . . . to get from this small market onto the bigger market,” she said.
Borman’s path to the title has been made easier with the absence of fellow national representative Jamila Sokunbi. The five-foot-two woman, who has an English mother and a Barbadian father, has not competed this season.
Fans are hoping that other leading figure contestants such as Sharon Coppin and Kathy-Ann Greenidge, are in the line-up this weekend.
Women’s bodybuilding has been on the backburner for some time but at this year’s Miss Bridgetown, Sophia Forte and rookie Deidre Archer, revived interest with solid performances.
Shape and symmetry appeared to have done the trick for the gallant Forte back in April, who can expect another fierce challenge from the six-foot-one Archer, who made the most impact on stage then with her muscle detail and monstrous double biceps from the back and sliced triceps.
“Its been a long, hard road but I am happy with what I have done so far,” said Archer, who has been under the guidance of Phil Toppin and Ricky Burrowes.
Ramon Broomes, the best junior in the country, is leading a three-man team from Flawless Concepts, formerly Oceans 2 Fitness. The gym located in the southern plaza complex at Oistins, is now owned by former light-heavyweight contender Richmeal Wiggins.
Wiggins told the WEEKEND NATION that Broomes will be “dangerous” and should rule the juniors and the super-middleweight class as well.
Flawless Concepts are also being represented by middleweights, Nicholas Best and debutant Nicholas Benjamin.
The highlight of the night should be the light-heavyweight duel between Belle, flexing muscle at his first nationals and Bascombe. Belle, the bodybuilding pride of the Coast Guard Unit, has been under the guidance of two-time Mr Barbados Roger Boyce at the Stadium Gym, while Bascombe has been pumping iron at Superior Fitness in St Peter.
Both men have promised to thunder on stage with ripped and ready with 195 pounds of muscle. It should be the meat and drink of the competition.
The heavyweight battle should also be engrossing. A busy schedule has forced Sandy Lane chef Rene Griffith to conduct his training at a gym in Holders Hill for the clash with six-foot-two in accountant Richard Waterman.
