Kiwis dominate historic world bodybuilding tilt

CEBU, Philippines - Top-grade bodybuilders from New Zealand led by Kurt Brunton and Sarah Malthus emerged as the biggest winners, even as Filipino muscleman Sandy Bontuyan of Taguig City and Cebu's pride Josephine Teria grabbed part of the limelight in the historic NABBA Universe World Championships 2015 late Saturday night at the Mariners’ Court in Cebu City.

Brunton, who earlier topped the Athletic Class I-Tall category after edging out Farley Letigio of Cebu City, came out as the overall champion in the Physique Men, while Malthus, the winner in the Figure Class II (Short), lorded it over the Figure Women.

Bontuyan, for his part, kept the Philippine flag flying high in the first ever world bodybulding contest held in Asia after being crowned as the overall champ in the Physique Men. He also ruled the Physique Men Class III (Short) after upstaging his compatriots Skylove Panaligan of Makati City, Leysander Buclaton of Quezon City and Lester Luczson of Manila.

Not to be outdone, Teria flaunted her well-chiseled physique with finesse on the way to snare the tiara in the Figure 40-above age group. What made her victory extra special is that she bested an equally-strong cast of foreign contenders namely Donna Randell of New Zealand, Clarissa Calingasan of Canada, Audrey O’Keefe of Scotland, and Maria Dunlop, also of New Zealand.

Overall, the Kiwis showed complete domination in the breakthrough event in Cebu sporting scene organized by Dennis Delgado of Workout Fitness Center.

Clint Ashburner ruled the Masters Class I (50-above). He was trailed by Edmund Chong of Malaysia as Pete Capuyan of Dumaguete City settled for third.

In the Grandmasters Class (65-above), the 74-year-old Jeremi Musialkowski of New Zealand caught everyone by surprise after he edged a much younger Australian rival William Knight for the title.

The other Kiwis who stamped their respective classes were Stefan Gianni Junior (23-below), Christine Henwood (Physique Women, 40-above),

Ruth Tae‘iloa (Shape), and Jessica Nelipovich (Women Figure Class I-Tall).

On the other hand, the Angeles City-based Briton Paul Longfield dominated the Masters Class I (50-above), while Law Wan Ling of Hong Kong ruled the Physique Women after outshining Shu Xia Heng of Malaysia and Linda Leleiveld of New Zealand.

Some of the country's top bets though also made an impression, with Taguig City's Raymond Jacobo, Rowell Co and Sammy Laureto coming up with a clean sweep in the Athletic Class II (Short). Eugene Ybañez of Cebu City wound up fourth.

In the Physique Men Class II (Medium), Reysan Nonepara of Manila City bagged the top spot followed by Allan Gabiata of Makati City, Chee Ken Yong and Mohd Azlan Daud of Malaysia, and  Saeed Alajami of the United Arab Emirates.

Pampanga's Jayson Macaraeg snatched the plum in the Physique Men Class I (Tall). Rommel Book of Zamboanga City landed at second followed by Aaron Vaisigano of New Zealand), Alexander Hans Tan of Manila and Joey Acar of Zamboanga.

In the Mixed Pairs, Shyla Marquez of Mandaluyong City and Reysan Nonepara of Manila City shone the brightest. Donna Randell and Tony Silverthorn of New Zealand placed second followed by Clarissa Calingasan of Canada and Rowell Co of Taguig and Makati's Farrah Romero and Roniel Peralta. Emma Satchell of Cebu City and Eddie Mugar of Lanao Del Norte rounded up the top five cast. — With Caecent No-ot Magsumbol (FREEMAN)