Guyana’s first professional bodybuilder Hugh Ross continued to keep the Golden Arrowhead fluttering proudly when he copped second place from 41 competitors at the Musclemania World Championships held at the Golden Nugget Resort Las Vegas, Nevada.
The event was not on Ross’ calendar but was added as part of the arrangements he had made for Sylvan Gardner to be granted permission to compete in Musclemania where Gardener won his Pro Card, the second Guyanese to achieve this feat.
Initially, Ross, who also placed second at last year’s event, finished in fourth place.
However all results were subjected to the competitor passing the mandatory drug tests.
The tests took more than a week to be ready simply because of the volume of tests.
There were in excess of 50 athletes who competed and all were tested.
Following the outcome of the drug tests, Ricardo Plata of Columbia, who finished second and third-place finisher Liu Xinggeng of China who had failed their tests were disqualified.
This resulted in Ross being elevated to the number two spot. Plata had won the event last year when Ross finished as the runner up.
Tommy Alston and Randal Simms of the United States placed third and fourth respectively with Japan’s Nario Miyano in fifth place.
Ross disclosed that his on stage presentation saw him wearing Rasta regalia while posing to the music of Mary J. Blige’s `Be Without You’ and this presentation had the audience, ecstatic.
“After my routine was concluded to the pulsating beat of the repeated chorus from Buju Banton and Elephant Man’s `Give Them More’, the audience was still on their feet,” he recounted.
He added that it was very difficult psychologically for him at the beginning to motivate himself to train at the level of intensity that was necessary to compete at the high level he is accustomed to since he had to focus much time and attention on Gardner.
This situation was compounded by the fact that time was limited for him to be ready in exactly seven weeks.
“But being experienced, Sylvan realized my predicament when he arrived in New York and came to my training sessions while here and did his best to encourage me. With four weeks left I was way behind with my training schedule.
It was at this point that I switched into my `Soldier’s mode’. It never fails! That is usually my last resort when I am pushed.”
