11 competitors awed the audience with their beauty and physique, among which included 51-year-old Yumiko Kawahara and 55-year-old Jamring Frieden.
Kawahara not only won first place overall in the women’s body figure category, but also took first in the short class. Frieden and Lucia Morales placed first and second in the tall class, respectively.
40-year-old Johny Santiago claimed the overall title in the men’s bodybuilding category and first place in the middleweight division. Catalino Roqui trailed the champion in second place while Gayan Perera won first in the lightweight division.
Gold’s Gym employee Raymond Santos ruled the male physique category, followed by Joel Tudela (second) and Manny Aaron (third).
Frieden returned on stage to win the female bikini category. Bernie Palacios was awarded first runner-up.
A veteran in the sport, head organizer and Saipan resident Diane Clayton said she was satisfied with the inaugural event. She hoped to continue next year, this time inviting athletes and members of all military branches in Guam.
“I planned two years ahead of this competition and I plan to do it every year. This was a learning process,” said Clayton in an interview.
She seeks to further promote bodybuilding in the CNMI, describing it as a “low profile” activity.
“Bodybuilding is a prestigious sport. A lot of athletes here are interested but they don’t know what to do. That’s why I’m helping them,” said Clayton.
Saturday night’s judges included former bodybuilder and Marianas High School teacher John Davis, Hyatt Regency Saipan’s Robin Sapong, Jerome Ierome, Belle Busby, IP&E’s Jeff Boyer, and Guam-based bodybuilder G. Gray.
