Johnson, Williams muscle away main JABBFA titles

Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer

Rupert Johnson won the overall title at the Nestle/Supligen-sponsored Jamaica Body Building and Fitness Association 2013 National Championships and Fitness Expo, before a capacity crowd at the Girl Guides' Headquarters, Waterloo Road, last Saturday night.

The 43-year-old Johnson, from the Velocity Gym in St Andrew, also topped his five opponents to capture the heavyweight championship, a title he previously won in 2011 and lost in controversial fashion last year.

For the overall title, Johnson not only had to overcome the much-decorated middleweight champion Cecil Beacon, but lightweight champion Dwight James and junior champion Delmar Graham as well.

In the heavyweight championship, Johnson was opposed by Andrew Chisholm, Daniel Chisolm, Wayne Freeman, Douglas Roberts and the American, Robert Maysinger.

All displayed good conformation, poise, tone and, with the exception of Maysinger, bulk in the pose down.

However, in the opinion of the judges, the experienced Johnson was the best, winning the award ahead of Andrew Chisholm and Daniel Chisholm, respectively.

An elated Johnson said better preparation led to his success.

"After the disappointment of last year, I vowed that I would not lose this time and trained very hard to present myself in the peak of condition.

"It really paid off and I am happy to have achieved my objective. Right now, I'm looking forward to the CAC Championships in September to make Jamaica proud."

In the middleweight category, Beacon, an experienced campaigner who has won many titles over the years, was adjudged the winner over Marcus Watts and Dwayne Collins.

Among the lightweights, Dwight James toppled crowd favourite Mario Gonzales and Dwight Campbell for the title, while Graham secured the junior title ahead of Dwayne Walker, Romain Wright and the tiny bodybuilder, Shaquille Cole.

Beacon came back to win a second title, capturing the Masters championship ahead of Johnson, while 62-year-old Trevor Bent had a walkover for the Grand Masters title.

In women's competition, Kimisha Williams, a crowd favourite, won the body fitness competition ahead of Passionique Weller; Camilla McDonald the bikini fitness competition ahead of Karise McDonald; Vivette Barrett the female bodybuilders' competition, while Passionique Weller, who featured in an aerobic exhibition along with 16-year-old Naddie Porter after the intermission, won the women's fitness competition.

Guest poser was many-time national champion Henry Graham.

The winners will represent Jamaica at the 41st Central American and Caribbean Bodybuilding Championships in Santo Domingo from September 19-21.