Bodybuilding-Mekdachi, Suzette triumph in Mr Regatta contest |26 July 2010

Praslinois Mathew Suzette had talked of revenge after finishing as runner-up to Emmanuel Pierre in the Seychelles Bodybuilding Association (SBBA) Junior Championship earlier this month and he was true to his words – winning the Mr Regatta junior title.

The Mr Regatta contest was held on Friday night – a day before the ladies strutted their stuff on the catwalk at the International Conference Centre for the Miss Regatta title won by Meryl Jean.

Fifth in the heavyweight (under-100kg) category of the inaugural world amateur men's bodybuilding championships organised by the World Bodybuilding and Physique Sports Federation at the Al Ahli Club's indoor hall in Dubai last year, Mekdachi was a class above runner-up Joe Gabriel to win R6,000, a weekend for two at the Islander Guest House, two return tickets on Cat Cocos, two tickets to the Miss Regatta show and one year VIP access to the Tequila Boom.
 
Miss Regatta 2009 Shana David presented Mekdachi with his prizes.
“I’m happy I’ve retained my title,” Mekdachi told Sports Nation.

“The level of competition was very good and organisation-wise it was OK. You can see that all the bodybuilders have done a lot of hard work to come onto the stage.

“The Mr Regatta contest has given me the opportunity to warm up for the rest of the season. My goal for this year is to compete in the Continental Bodybuilding Championship in Egypt and Mr Universe in Azerbaijan,” said the 30-year-old muscleman who was cheered on by his family.

Gabriel, 35, went home with R3,000, dinner for two at the Banyan Tree hotel and six months VIP access to the Tequila Boom. Third was 34-year-old Jude Larue who won R2,000, lunch for two at the Wharf Hotel and three months VIP access to the Tequila Boom.

Making his debut, Edwin Guichard was ranked fourth.
As expected, the junior class was closely contested and the three-man jury panel of Robert Rose, Mike Etienne and Golbert Nicette had a tough job on its hand. It had to call Suzette and Pierre back onto the stage after the pose-down round to do all seven compulsory poses before a final decision was finally made. This is because there was a tie on score even after the two had already been called for comparisons earlier on.

Mr Seychelles junior 2009 Suzette punched the air in delight as he showed that despite not getting the opportunity to train with some of the best local bodybuilding coaches around, he can do a good job with his entourage on Praslin.

“A good diet got me the Mr Regatta junior title tonight. I worked hard for it,” said Suzette.
He returned to Côte d’Or with R2,500, dinner for two at the Boardwalk Restaurant, two tickets to the Miss Regatta pageant and three months VIP access to the Tequila Boom.

Runner-up Pierre got R1,500, lunch for two at the News Café and three months VIP access to the Tequila Boom.
Already third in the Junior Championship, Ricky Larue was again ranked third and as prize he got R1,000 and three months VIP access to the Tequila Boom.

Eric Kallee (fourth), Fernando Jeannevol (fifth) and Kevin Laurette (sixth) were the other three junior flex posers who took part.

All bodybuilders received a can of Ironman Energy drink sponsored by East Indies.
After assuming a standing relaxed posture, the bodybuilders had to do the seven compulsory poses – front double biceps, front lat spread, back double biceps, back lat spread, abdominal and thighs, side chest and side triceps. They then posed with a piece of music of their choice before going to the pose-down round.

Only flex posers of the SBBA took part in the contest after the Seychelles Bodybuilding and Physique Sports Federation (SBPF) pulled out, saying its bodybuilders cannot compete in two competitions inside a week.

G. G.