The two most exciting young guns in bodybuilding, Ramon Broomes and Shaquile Lavine, will go toe-to-toe on Saturday night for Mr Bridgetown, the oldest running muscle contest in the country.
Lavine has been the poster boy for the sport over the last few seasons. He has won every junior contest including Mr Schoolboy and Mr Teenager, captured Mr Bridgetown at the tender age of 19 and clinched the coveted Mr Barbados crown last year.
Known for his razor-sharp condition, Lavine will start as favourite for this weekend’s season opening contest at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Conference Centre.
However, it would be unwise to count out Broomes, who seems to be returning to his best form. A product of Foundation and The Lodge schools, Broomes has not fulfilled his undeniable promise and has struggled to get his act together since winning an enthralling showdown with Hoskins Worrell to take the 2012 Mr Barbados title.
Last year, he won Mr Bridgetown and just a few weeks ago, head coach Roger Boyce spoke glowingly of him when he took fourth in a high-class field at the Arnold Brazil in Sao Paulo.
Those who have seen him up close have indicated he is in shape and should repeat as champion. Broomes himself is upbeat and said he is the man to watch.
“I am ready and sharp. I have come a long way. I am totally focused. I don’t want to be doing this and not getting anything out of it. I am different these days, no distractions, no issues,” he said.
The mild-mannered 27-year-old personal trainer says if he is in good form Saturday night, he will be a hard man to beat.
“Last year I did not have any major comparisons and I would like it to be so again. If I am in shape, I will be a hard man to beat.
“Shaquile is a fantastic competitor. He will go far in the sport but I am not worried about him. It is me vs me. This is about respect and showing the fans that Ramon Broomes is not a joke. I am in better shape than I was in Brazil,” he added.
Lavine, 22, is ready for the mouth-watering showdown.
“My prep has been going good. I am always looking forward to any clash; I like a challenge.
“I am not backing down. Ramon and I will have it ding-dong. I am ready,” he said.
Lavine has been hard at work over the past few months at Flawless Concepts in Sky Mall, Haggatt Hall, training five days a week.
Broomes and Lavine will headline a Mr Bridgetown field that includes Kirk Alleyne, David Small and the persistent Roger Streete.
Fans are hoping for some fireworks in Mr Teenager. Last year’s Mr Schoolboy winner, Remar Butcher, will be one to watch.
The Mr Teenager will comprise of Kyro Gibling, Nika Herbert, R’Son Knight, Treshawn Brathwaite-Russell, Chad Payne, Asa Inniss, Darrian Thompson, Daman Elcock and Trayjean Harvey.
For the first time, there will be a Mr and Miss Sexy Bridgetown, which, according to Barbados Amateur Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation president Dr Alfred Sparman, should be a pleasing addition to the programme.
Former Miss Barbados Raquel Wilkinson and media personalities Admiral Nelson and Cassandra Crawford, are among the celebrity judges for the Mr and Miss Sexy Bridgetown. (MK)
