Nigel Simon
Newly-crowned National Senior Bodybuilding and Fitness Championship winners, Kashma Maharaj and Brent Reyes, both of South Trinidad, have their minds set on more achievements in the near future.
The Southern duo, both coached by Richard Seecharan, copped their respective titles at the Cascadia Hotel, St Ann's, on Saturday night.
The win for Maharaj was the second at the national level this year, as she also won the national Junior Women's Bodybuilding title earlier this year.
In the battle for the crown, the 28-year-old Maharaj got the judges nod ahead of former winners, Candace Carr-Archer and Yolanda John.
What made the double triumph so astonishing is that Maharaj, who trains at the Gulf View Health and Fitness Gym, was only competing in her second national bodybuilding event.
Last year, she competed in the fitness class where she won the junior title and was third among the seniors.
Reliving her moment of glory, Maharaj said, "I was quite elated when I was announced as the winner because I have seen Candace Carr on the stage so many times and I have always been so impressed by her. "Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine I would be on the stage one day competing against her and then to actually beat her in a competition is quite an accomplishment I would think."
A confident Maharaj added, "Winning both titles this year was always my plan from the start. Generally I would never enter a competition without setting myself the target of winning."
Asked why she decided to get involved in bodybuilding, Maharaj replied: "Since I began body fitness I realised that I was getting more muscular than I wanted to.
"So with the encouragement of my coach Richard Seecharan and the natural development of my own body I decided to make the switch.
Maharaj, who says she was targeting competing at the Central American and Caribbean Bodybuilding Championship next year, also credited her friends and team-mates at her gym for their full support, along with main sponsor Pro Lab. Reyes, of the CJ's Muscle Gym, Penal was also a finalist last year but lost out to Dechon Durity in the posedown for the overall title. This time around, however, he was not to be denied.
After his win, the 30-year-old Reyes, who is attached to the Siparia Fire Station, said, "Obviously I feel really proud because I have been involved in the sport seriously for the past three years now and its nice to see my hard work bring rewards."
"Before that, I was involved in the sport for four years just pumping iron but over the last three years I have been very dedicated to the sport and with the help and support of my coach, my friends and my family, especially my dad (Dave) I was able to pull through."
With regards to his future plans in the sport, Reyes said, "I will like to be a professional bodybuilder one day. I love the sport very much and once I stay focused and committed I have no doubt I will reach my goal in the next couple of years."
Men's Fitness Open: 1. Neil Diaz; 2. Marvin Rohim
Women's Body Fitness (Short): 1. Tamika Alexander-Powder; 2. Michelle Alleyne; 3. Karen George
Women's Body Fitness (Tall): 1. Tamara Ribeiro-Bailey; 2. Monisa Harbans-Aleong; 3. Trishante Rocke
Bodybuilding
Men's Masters: 1. Dexter Littrean; 2. Lawrence Marlon Belfour; 3. Richard Louis
Lightweight: 1.Dexter Littrean; 2. Kelton Thomas; 3. Sanjay Lutchman
Middleweight: 1. Deon Aleong; 2. Winston Christian Jr; 3. Garfield Edwards
Lightmiddleweight: 1. Jason Jackman; 2. Cletious Julien; 3. Shawn Aleong
Lightheavyweight: 1. Ronald Brooks; 2. Lawrence Marlon Belfour; 3. Trevon Perouse
Heavyweight: 1.Brent Reyes; 2. Steve Isaac; 3. Richard Noel
Women's Bodybuilding Open: 1. Kashma Maharaj; 2. Candace Carr-Archer; 3. Yolanda John
Overall Women's Body Fitness - Tamara Ribeiro-Bailey
Overall Men's Bodybuilidng - Brent Reyes
Ralph Lee, a former Mr T&T winners lifts the hands of Brent Reyes, fourth from left, winner of the men's
