Bodybuilding: Mekdachi claims third Mr Regatta title |30 September 2013

Seychelles’ bodybuilding is on the way to regain its former glory, as the new caretaker committee organised its first competition – the Mr Regatta.

Although the event did not go on exactly as planned, the organisers managed to make sure that once it got under way late on Friday night at the tequila Boom night club, all went smoothly.

Scheduled to start at 8pm, the contest was delayed until 10pm. Nine contestants took part in the event – five in the junior category and the remaining four in the senior division.
 
After facing tough competition from Rodney Henriette, Ziad Mekdachi was eventually named Mr Regatta 2013 ahead of Henriette who is definitely one to look out for in the coming years.

Joelen Valentin finished in third place followed by Cyril Rabat in fourth.

This is Mekdachi’s third consecutive Mr Regatta win after also claiming the title for the first time in 2010 and 2012. The Mr Regatta contest was not organised in 2011.

In the junior class, it was Praslinois Ashnel Denis who claimed the first prize as Mr Regatta Junior ahead of Peter Mandansky from the Czech Republic. Roland Niole came out third while South African Max Stlenkamp was fourth and Samuel Dorizo fifth.
 
Before the main prizes were given, a special award was presented to 54-year-old Valentin for his many contributions to the sport.

Valentin said: “I decided to participate today because as I have seen the sport going down I wanted to help bring it back up again.”

As always, there was another award for the best poser and this went to Roland Niole who impressed the crowd with his splits.
 
Caretaker committee member Mike Etienne thanked the committee, the sponsors as well as the media for helping with the success of the event.

“I urge the public to keep on supporting the sport. We have had a rough time, but this competition is the first step to get bodybuilding back to the top,” said Mr Etienne.
 
With Mr Seychelles next on the calendar, bodybuilding enthusiasts can look forward with hope that their beloved sport can get back up and reclaim its spot as a top sport in Seychelles.

S. N.