Bodybuilders compete for Mr. Belize title
It is a sport that produced no less a celebrity than Arnold Schwarzenegger. And while it’s not certain whether any of the contestants in tonight’s Mr. Belize bodybuilding contest will ever become a movie star or politician, it’s a sure bet that they’ll generate some heat on the stage. Patrick Jones has a preview.
Patrick Jones, Reporting
After months of painstakingly sculpting their bodies, the country’s best physiques will go on stage tonight in hopes of capturing the hearts of the fans, and eyes of the judges.
Gilroy Nembhard, Senior Division
“It’s a very stiff competition. The competitors in the seniors, these guys, they look good. But I’ve been putting in my works, so I come with real strong force. I want first.”
Over fifteen men and women bodybuilders will compete in Female, Junior, Senior and Masters divisions of the annual Mr. Belize Competition.
Alfred McKenzie, First V.P., Body Building Association
“Well the reason for Mr. Belize competition once a year is to see who is the best in Belize in bodybuilding. And that person, the winner of the senior, has an option to represent Belize in any future event, and likewise the others.”
But money and the chance to be Belize’s physical ambassador are not the only incentives driving these muscle-bound competitors. Gilroy Nembhard is putting the rest of the field in the Senior division on notice.
Gilroy Nembhard
“I’m going to put the gold medallist Mr. Deon Danderson and Mr. Edwin Ramirez. These guys came from Honduras with gold medals, but all I’m going to say: there is no gold medal here in Belize City. So it’s battle to the end.”
The battle in the Junior Division, split into an “A” and “B” category, will be fierce, as at least eight athletes will try to outdo each other.
Fitzgerald Davis, Junior Division
“I think we’ll definitely get a good competition because a lot of guys are saying that they are going to be the winner and a lot of fans looking at me as the winner for the junior competition. And I believe that I am in very good shape to take the championship…I’ve been training for the past eight months. You know, dieting, training hard, getting a lot of rest, taking my protein, you know and doing all the necessary stuff.”
Alfred McKenzie
“This is one of our biggest shows, it’s the National Mr. Belize Contest, which will entail participation of ladies, first time juniors, seniors, masters and it promises to be a good show.”
Fitzgerald Davis
“Once you come to the competition, there will be a lot of entertainment. A lot of muscles display and thing, you know. So once you come you will definitely get your money’s worth and see the guys flexing their muscles, doing all the good stuff.”
The curtain goes up at eight tonight in the Queen’s Room of the Princess Hotel. Patrick Jones, for News 5.
Other body builders taking part in tonight’s Mr. Belize competition include reigning champ Roger Sutherland, Dillon Jones, Deon Danderson, Edwin Ramirez and Lurnette Sankey. Four international judges will be included on the decision-making panel. The show will open with the “B” Class juniors, along with first time performers, followed by the ladies and masters, before ending with the pose down by the senior body builders. The winner will walk away with a thousand dollar cash prize.
