The Lester Vaughan Secondary School Hall in St Thomas will be transformed into an arena when more than 100 students clash in the Tiger Malt Mr Schoolboy Bodybuilding and Miss Body Fitness Championships today from 4 p.m.
While the Mr Schoolboy has always climaxed a fantastic show over the years, the Miss Body Fitness and the agility and cuteness of the smaller competitors have captivated their audience who give tremendous support to the National Sports Council’s (NSC) thrust.
Twelve titles will be on offer at the show which has attracted competitors from 31 primary, secondary and tertiary institutions.
NSC bodybuilding coach Valence Humphrey said the 100 per cent increase in participation had resulted from programmes to improve the quality of the competitors.
“Our focus has not been on numbers but on getting quality and that has seen a tremendous response from the institutions and the fans will certainly be treated to a great show,” he said.
Guest posing from Darcy Beckles Invitational Classic champion, Martinus Durrant, should provide the incentive for what is expected to be a three-way battle for Mr Schoolboy among Shaquile Lavine, of Metropolitan, who placed second last year, and returnees Arkim Selman, of the Government Industrial School, and Travis Headley, of Alexandra.
In the Miss Body Fitness two newcomers from the home school, Lester Vaughan, Maria Bobb-Blackman and Shaniqua Allamby, will be looking to challenge favourite Rashida Gill, of The Lodge School, as well as Nekada Williams, also of Lodge, and Kiniesha Cumberbatch of St James Secondary.
The pint-sized Ashley Atkins, of Graydon Sealy Secondary will be looking to repeat in the Upper Juniors bodybuilding segment.
Atkins will also be taking a shot at the Upper Junior girls’ body fitness title where defending champion Janine Mayers, of Queen’s College, is picked to maintain her dominance.
In the junior boys’ bodybuilding segment, four-times champion Keiza Goodman-Hinds will face off in the 9-11 age group with last year’s 6-8 champion, Juriah Belle, of Ellerton Primary. (KB)
