Barbadian Ramon Broomes had a rough baptism to the United States amateur bodybuilding arena last weekend failing to crack the top 15 on his debut at the Arnold Classic Amateur contest in Columbus, Ohio.
Broomes, 21, the reigning Mr Barbados, did not have the size and muscle in a tough middleweight contest dominated by Brazilians Charles Mario Soares and Jorlan Veira, who were first and second in the 17-man field.
The former Foundation and Lodge schoolboy is the first Barbadian to flex muscle at the contest.
It was a much better night for Trinidad and?Tobago at the Veterans Memorial Auditorium, with Roberto Rodriguez sixth in the light heavyweight class and Kelton Thomas seventh among the lightweights.
The overall winner was heavyweight champion Emiliano Dell’uomo of Italy.
The Trinidad and Tobago flag kept flying on the pro stage as well as dazzling Darren Charles took ninth in the leading event of the weekend programme best remembered for Dexter Jackson’s commanding win.
The Blade’s fourth capture of the Arnold Classic now ties him with the great Ken “Flex”?Wheeler.
Big Canadian Ben Pakulski reportedly brought up his back to match those massive tree trunk legs.
This was another step up the ladder for the “Pak Man”, who was fourth last year.
Pakulski, whose father is Polish, graduated with honours from the University of Western Ontario with a Bachelor of Science in kinesiology.
Toney “The X-Man” Freeman, who was strong for the night’s show after a bit of dryness for the pre-judging, took third just ahead of Johnnie Jackson who exhibited his trademark thick chest and huge traps.
The warrior from the Land of the Rising Sun, Hidetada Yamagishi, landed fifth place, with Cedric McMillan completing the top six.
The women’s equivalent, Miss International, was dominated by the queen of the sport – African American Iris Kyle. (MK)