Gibson, Inniss take Fitness and Bodybuilding titles

In front of a cheering crowd, a toned and muscular Asa Inniss earned a tightly contested Mr School Boy Bodybuilding crown while a sparkling Laneekwa Gibson smiled and posed her way to the judges hearts to win the Miss School Girl Body Fitness on Friday evening.

Held at The Combermere School, the 2019 venue of the National Sports Council Mr School Boy Bodybuilding and Miss School Girl Body Fitness Championships was packed to capacity as just over 80 participants hit the stage before the judges panel.

Inniss of the Samuel Jackman Prescod Institute of Technology also won the Best Poser and Most Muscular awards. The tall competitor was challenged by a more defined second place Cameron Edwards of Frederick Smith but Inniss, a seasoned competitor worked the stage to the delight of the fans in the auditorium. In third place was Damar Edwards of St. Leonard’s Boys School.

Speaking to The Barbados Advocate, the newly-crowned champion was overjoyed.

“I feel very, very excited. I was waiting for this win for a long time and I finally got it today. I feel very excited!” expressed Inniss.

The champion then thanked his coach, Valence Humphrey of the Nation Stadium Gym and admitted that he was nervous and scared before the competition but found his confidence returned on the day and was excited to compete.

“When I saw the competition, I got excited because I am a guy that likes competition so I was happy to see the guys coming out.”

Training since he was four years old but only competing since 2017, the 17-year-old Inniss was always in the top 5 but on Friday night he ascended to the top.

Laneekwa Gibson of the Barbados Community College was all smiles as she glided across the stage in a sparkling maroon bikini. The 21-year-old was the complete package of beauty and poise, working the quarter turns with finesse before the judges desk. Against only two other competitors, Gibson shone brightly with her toned but not overly muscular frame and was the clear favourite of the crowd.

“I feel really, really good to be honest. It was kind of tough because I was not able to prepare how I wanted to gymwise. Mr. Humphrey is the one who really got me into it and I thank my mum for supporting me doing this.” 

Gibson also offered some advice to those ladies who were considering being involved in the sport, where there is a definite need for more female athletes to be involved.

“It is a really good opportunity and you should try it. At first when Mr Humphrey came to me, I said no, that is not something I want to do. However after last year, I said that this is something I am really willing to try, and I would encourage anyone to come out and work towards it. It worked for me and now I am a champion!”

The BCC student bested Amber Hinkson of The Lodge School who placed second and Angenique Quintin of Frederick Smith Secondary in third place.