Khan, Wong, Sampson capture marquee titles

Yusuf Khan, Aliya Wong and Michael Sampson took their talents to Linden yesterday and posed and flexed their physiques to the marquee titles at this year’s Novices Bodybuilding Championships.

Khan took the Men’s Physique title, Wong triumphed in the Miss Bikini contest and  Sampson won the bodybuilding competition.

It was not an easy choice, but the judges awarded the Men’s Physique showdown trophy to Unity Gym’s Khan ahead of fellow gym athlete, Denroy Ross and Quamie July of V. Fitness.

Among a group of 12 competitors, Khan, clad in eye-catching red, board shorts, brought the shape and stage presence the judges most wanted to see.

Like Ross and July, the 24 year-old was confident, well-proportioned, well-muscled and not overly conditioned. The first timers really put on a show and the level of competition continues to rise especially in the flourishing Men’s Physique class. 

In the Misss Bikini contest, Wong, a standout from Pro-Fit Boot Camp was the near perfect mix of muscularity, symmetry, beauty and style and took home the spoils  ahead of worthy opponents Gail Karim and Alejandra Vieira.

The confident 20-year-old will now have her sights set on perhaps the Intermediate Champion-ships, the flagship National Seniors Championships and even Regional competitions later this year. 

She is definitely one you should be keeping your eye on in this 2021 season and beyond.

Sampson shone the brightest under the lights in the bodybuilding category. Clad in black posing trucks, he out flexed and out posed the competition to be awarded the accolade of Novices Bodybuilding Champion 2021.

Sampson, also of Pro-Fit Boot Camp, was the biggest and sharpest athlete on stage in the over 176-lb class. 

He then returned for the pose down with the other category champions, Alexander Correia (under 143 lbs), Joel Caldeira (under 154 lbs)  and Shaquan Caleb (under 165 lbs) and took the overall spoils and one year’s bragging rights.

The event, which was held without a viewing audience, was sponsored by Fitness Express and the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sport.

Next up on the local competition calendar is the Intermediate Champion-ships scheduled for sometime in the third quarter of the year. It was announced that the flagship National Senior Championships is billed for December.