Gold eludes Belizeans in bodybuilding

Good evening, I’m James Adderly and you’re tuned to yet another serving of Sports Monday. In the role of host to the 2000 Central American Bodybuilding Championships, which culminated Saturday evening at the City Centre, Belize had to settle for a somewhat disappointing result.

For starters Belize had no junior bodybuilders, but neither did five of the other Central American Countries, so Marx Gomez of Honduras gets gold in uncontested fashion, which is unbelievable. At the masters class, this group of five sees Mercio Funes of Honduras heat the field for top honours. Francis Lizama here finishes 6th, while Guy Neal was forced into 4th place. If you had any doubt that Funes is boss, then check out their pose down and the differences if clear.

In the mixed pairs action, again Belize was a no show, but Rosa Martinez and Mauricio Salgado of El Salvador stole the show. Only two athletes competed in the women’s lightweight class and its Rosa Martinez of El Salvador beating out Rina Gomez of Panama. At the heavyweight class found five making a run and Lurnette Sankey of Belize was definitely a contender, but this routine is only good enough for a bronze medal. Silvia Vasquez of El Salvador takes the silver and Patricia Mendoza de Guatemala takes the top prize.

Meanwhile, Kayoko Nunez, wife of Noel Nunez gives us this world-class fitness routine that gets the crowd going. In the bantamweight category, Jorge Sierra of Honduras takes 3rd with his routine. Darwin Cardenas of Honduras picks up silver with this nice finish, but the golden boy is Ricardo Riega of Panama. Belize’s representative Mark Roaches had to settle for 6th place.

At the lightweight class, Belize had no representative giving Seferino Gonzales of Panama the gold and Mauricio Salgado of El Salvador the silver.

Now here is the field for the welterweight contest featuring number 32 Noel Nunez, a former Belizean superstar. Carlos Artica of Honduras takes bronze for this display. Alex Carranga also of Honduras finishes 2nd. And wearing the gold from the welterweight class is Wilfred Sanchez of Guatemala, who certainly looks the role. Roger Sutherland of Belize finishes 4th, while Noel Nunez might have been out of shape and had to settle for 5th.

Moving up the ladder we find the field for the middleweight showdown and this might have found the keenest competition. Joel Clottes of Honduras pulls up to 3rd place. Mr. Belize, Gilroy Nembhard gave it a good go, but had to take home the silver medal. Local favourite Dillon Jones was certainly disappointed with his 6th place finish, while, the gold medal goes to Erubin Vega of Panama, who might just be a world-class performer.

In the light-heavy division the competition was also keen and when the judges made their decision Salman Perez of Guatemala able to impress enough to take 3rd. Belize’s Edwin Ramirez in his first international appearance was able to glean silver. However, Carlos Rodriguez of Panama proved to be the best in his class and was awarded gold.

In the heavyweight class, only three contenders showed up; Nelson Nolberto was awarded 3rd. Esteban Mollins of Costa Rica pulled up 2nd and Arnulfo Rios of Panama had the bulk and the symmetry to seize the gold. Not a good outing of Belize in the role of host, since at no time did our national play during this particular ceremony for obvious reasons.

Looking ahead, September 10th brings up the 12-team BFL marathon package at the MCC Grounds; it’s one you won’t want to miss.