– in bodybuilding championships tonight
Known for his ferocious looks in the ring, national heavyweight champion Mitchell Rogers will now channel his energy to the stage when he competes in this year’s Guyana Amateur Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation (GABBFF) Novices and Intermediate Championship tonight at the Theatre Guild.
Since winning the vacant heavyweight title on July 7, 2007, stopping his opponent Leon ‘The Lion’ Gilkes with a ninth round TKO, Mitchell has not stepped back into the ring. He told Stabroek Sport on Friday that he was frustrated at not getting fights and had to do something with his time.
“It’s been two years since I last had a fight and I’m really frustrated… it’s not easy training every day and not fighting, so I decided to enter my next favourite sport which is bodybuilding,” Rogers said.
At 29 years old, his professional record stands at five fights, one defeat and four wins, all by way of knockout. The fighter cum bodybuilder also mentioned that while growing up he always had a love for the muscular look and spent a lot of time in the gym working out.
Rogers added that the opportunity was always there for him to step on the stage but he was too taken up with boxing, but since he is not active in the ring, it is now easier to make the transition.
“I understand the dangers and differences in competing in the two sports but it is similar because in boxing you have to eat right and do gym work so I think it was kind of easy for me to step across,” said the boxing champion.
Over 15 competitors will be on show today and most of them are competing for the first time and Rogers is optimistic that he will come out on top.
“I feel good and happy about going on stage for the first time… I train at Total Fitness Gym in Grove and I know that I will win,” said the boxer. However, when asked about switching sports permanently he answered with a chuckle and said: “Well I want to see how things work out on Sunday [today].”
But Rogers will not have a walk in the park although last year’s overall champion Simian Mendonca has migrated. According to sources close to the sport, Jafar Muhammad of Linden is expected to turn some heads in the competition.
Giftland Office Max and local beverage giants Banks DIH are the major sponsors of the competition.
