Whatley dethrones Clarke to cop Mr. Guyana title

By Treiston Joseph

CAC Masters gold medallist Bruce Whatley is now Mr. Guyana for the first time in his illustrious career after a classic ‘teacher versus student’ battle with defending champion Kerwin Clarke on Sunday evening at the Marriott Hotel.

Whatley, who trained Clarke, a four-time Mr. Guyana from 2013-2016, to win his first title in 2011 (Novices), had the perfect V-taper body with a shredded upper back, shoulders, abdominal, triceps and biceps as well as legs. Clarke, who came off a three-month lay-off due to injury, had a ripped chest and legs along with a hard abdominal region and well defined front biceps.

Whatley thrilled the audience in the Heavyweight category to win it before returning to pose off with Clarke for the Mr. Guyana title in what can be deemed as one of the best bodybuilding shows in the last five years.

Whatley poses consisted of showing off mostly his well defined back and abdominal region along with his biceps and legs. After the win, Whatley noted that he owed the victory to “God and his wife”, while noting that it was “special” to compete against Clarke who won the title four straight times.

While Clarke did not retain his Mr. Guyana crown, the four-time champion did take away the top prize for the Middleweight category that was one of the most competitive of the evening. Godfrey Stoby finished second in the Middleweight category, while Sylvester Andrew surprisingly finished third as he sported a chiselled physique that wowed the sold out audience.

Caerus Ciprani won the Welterweight category over Odel Crum-Ewing in a two-man race, while Alisha Fortune had literally no competition in the Miss Body Fitness category. 

Also in the winners’ row was Marlon Bennett in the Lightweight and Masters categories, while Yannick Grimes defeated defending champion Emmerson Campbell, who fell to third in the Men’s Physique category. Lancelot Gordon finished second behind Grimes. 

President of the Guyana Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation, Coel Marks was pleased with the turnout and touted the show as one of the best in years. (EDITOR’S NOTE: See additional photos on News Room’s Facebook page)