Bikini?fitness queen?Saskia Griffith has a viral illness, but the Barbados bodybuilding and fitness contingent remains highly confident of a successful defence of the team title at the Central American And Caribbean (CAC) Championships slated for this weekend in Santo Domingo.
President of the Barbados Amateur Bodybuilding &?Fitness Federation (BABBFF), Andrew Forde, was in upbeat mood before the team departed yesterday morning.
“The team is confident and their spirits high. I am feeling good about the team’s chances. I am especially pleased with the men’s bodybuilding team. Everyone has gotten better. Sammy Eastmond’s posing has improved, Laron Gibson is sharp and Stevenson Belle is always hard,” he said.
He said he also expected much of Mr Barbados 2008 Hoskyn “Biscuits”?Worrell, Mike Worrell, Joseph Bourne and Curtis Kirby but noted the team had a few concerns.
“Saskia has been under the weather. She has a viral illness and is taking it easy. That’s a concern along with the condition of fitness winner Asha Chase, who has a toe injury. Asha has not been able to train as much as she would like,” he said.
In the bikini competition, Griffith and Melissa Burrowes will display their physiques in the category for those up to 163 centimetres while Natalie Webb competes in the taller class.
Kim Sealy will make her national debut on the body fitness stage while Nationals champ Antoinette Downie has reverted to the fitness segment.
Sealy was quietly confident.
“I?am a novice in the sport but I am looking forward to the CAC?and giving it my all. I am proud to represent Barbados.”
Forde said he was expecting big things in the body fitness tall class from the experienced Ramona Morgan.
“Ramona is the stand out among the girls and will be hard to beat at CAC. Maurice Arthur and Marlon Wood give us strong representation in the men’s physique competition and there is no question, the team is quite strong.
“We should defend the title once everyone performs to their potential but it won’t be easy. Host countries always do well and the Dominican Republic will present a strong challenge along with Venezuela and Puerto Rico,” he added.
Miss Barbados Rhonda Browne will get another chance to renew her bodybuilding rivalry with the 6 ft 1 in Deidre Archer.
Archer said she had moved on from the disappointment of Nationals when some observers felt she should have won.
“That’s how the game goes. I have moved on. I?have improved and I?am seeking to make more improvements,” she said.
The team, with the exception of national junior champ Shaquille Lavine, is heading to the Dominican Republic via the United States.
Lavine was not able to obtain a United States visa and will make his way through Trinidad and Panama, accompanied by as assistant manager Walter Sobers.
The weigh-in is today, the pre-judging is tomorrow and the finals are slated for Sunday starting at 10:30 a.m.
