Bennette flexes to ‘Mr. Guyana’ title; Campbell retains Men’s physique crown
By Akeem Greene
Age is indeed just a number, as 42 year-old Marlon Bennette, won his first Mr. Guyana title after competing for two decades, while Emmerson Campbell retained his Men’s Physique title when the Guyana Amateur Body Building and Fitness Federation (GABBFF) hosted the Senior National Championships on Monday at the National Cultural Centre.
Bennette, the Fitness 53 gym member, who won the Masters (40 years and over) and Lightweight categories to qualify for the overall title pose off, showcased a truly chiselled artwork of hard work in and out of the gym.
He bested crowd favourites Caerus Cipriani (second) and Carlos Petterson (third) for the top prize. Derran Harris and Leon Benjamin secured fourth and fifth respectively. Benette won the Masters ahead of Rhon Loncke and Donald Lindie.
Aging like fine wine, Bennette noted he felt his chances were good since five-time champion Kerwin Clarke opted not to compete. He added it is important for the younger athletes to recognise their potential and work hard to be the best.
The other marvel of the night was Campbell, withstanding a relatively strong field to retain his title, a fourth in five years.
The Space Gym athlete was adjudged the best ahead of fellow gym members Tariq Dakhil, Yannick Grimes and Delroy Philips.
“It is an unbelievable feeling; if not for 2017 it would have been five years, but nevertheless I give thanks that I came out victorious. I was training very hard, but now it is unto CAC [Central American and Caribbean Games] from October 11-14 in Dominican Republic,” Campbell told News Room Sport.
At the CAC Games held in Mexico 2018, Campbell missed out on gold by just one point. With silver and bronze in the cabinet, he stated he is working hard to ensure that the elusive gold returns on this trip.
Meanwhile, Miss Bikini went to Space Gym’s Rosanna Fung ahead of Angelica Singh. Other winners of the night included Cipriani in the Light middleweight, Leon Benjamin (welterweight) and Carlos Petterson (heavyweight) and Darren Harris (Bantamweight).
GABBFF President Keavon Bess thanked the support of Fitness Express, Fas Graphics, Stage of Championships, Digital Technology and Ellies Trading. Bess is plotting a series of events in 2020, which includes ‘Mr. Berbice’, the Novices in Linden then the Seniors in Georgetown.
The Attorney-at-Law also confirmed the federation will be placing a bid to host the CAC Games.