NIKITA ROBINSON, winner of the 2009 Miss Bridgetown fitness title, returns to the stage for the first time in six years at this year’s championships slated for May 9 at the Combermere School hall.
The attractive Robinson, who has represented Barbados on the international stage in Hungary and Poland, told MIDWEEK SPORT that she was looking forward to strutting her physique at the opening event of the 2015 bodybuilding, physique and fitness competition.
“I am looking foward to be the Bridgetown contest. I have been away for a long time and it will be nice to be back in competition. My upper body is more developed and my back is improved,” said Robinson, who has been employed since last year at the front desk of Surfside Wellness Centre.
Robinson, 24, says she has been training since February under the guidance of Surfside’s owner, George Griffith.
“The Bridgetown is just a warm-up for the nationals in August but I am happy with how things are progressing,” said Robinson, who during her layoff gave birth to a baby girl, Aziza, who celebrates her second birthday on May 8, the day before the show.
The men’s physique is certain to be one of the main drawing cards of the programme. Ryan Haynes, the 37-year-old pharmacist who was second at the Darcy Beckles Invitational Classic last October, is earmarked to compete and should be one of the favourites.
Strike Force Gym, one of the strongest gyms in the country, is sending at least four entrants for the men’s physique. They are Kevin Edwards, Duane Lucas, Everton Branch and James Sheppard.
Shone Springer, who once competed on the bodybuilding stage, is one of three competitors from Krackans Gym. The others are Allan Reid and Antoine Savoury.
Barbados representative Shakira Doughlin is the one to beat in the bikini fitness category. Doughlin failed to crack the top six at last year’s Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Championships in St Maarten but bounced back a few days later in October to take second spot at the Darcy Beckles Invitational Classic.
On the bodybuilding stage, most eyes will be on dynamic 19-year-old Shaquille Lavine, last season’s Mr Teenager winner. Last year, Lavine had to settle for second best in Mr Bridgetown behind Dario Bryan, and would dearly love to put that right this time and win the oldest running contest in the country dating back to 1956.
