Stanley Iakopo, center, holds the overall bodybuilding trophy as he poses for a photo with bantamweight first place Lorenzo Sanchez, left, and welterweight first place Ralph Villas at the conclusion of the 2023 Dee Clayton Classic & Northern Marianas Bodybuilding Federation competition at Saipan World Resort’s Taga Hall.
Enrico Valdez, center, holds the men’s physique overall trophy as he poses for a photo with Gold’s Gym certified personal trainer Gerald Galang, left, and Latte Built owner Derek Cutting, right, at the conclusion of the 2023 Dee Clayton Classic & Northern Marianas Bodybuilding Federation competition at Saipan World Resort’s Taga Hall.
Lorenzo Sanchez holds the classic physique overall trophy as he poses for a photo with Gold’s Gym certified personal trainer Gerald Galang, left, and Latte Built owner Derek Cutting, right, at the conclusion of the 2023 Dee Clayton Classic & Northern Marianas Bodybuilding Federation competition at Saipan World Resort’s Taga Hall.
STANLEY Iakopo, Enrico Valdez and Lorenzo Sanchez took the spotlight during the 2023 Dee Clayton Classic & Northern Marianas Bodybuilding Federation competition, winning the overall titles in their respective categories Saturday at Saipan World Resort’s Taga Hall.
Iakopo was the overall champion in the bodybuilding category, besting two other competitors, Lorenzo Sanchez and Ralph Villas.
Each of them also won first place as the only competitors in their respective weight classes: Villas, welterweight; Sanchez, bantamweight; and Iakopo, lightweight.
It was Iakopo’s second overall title; he won his first in 2021.
“It’s motivation,” he said. This year, four of his children — Liekeila’akata, Filomenaleonisa, AudieScott and Mametto — also competed and took home trophies in their own categories.
“I’m not surprised [that they placed within the top 3],” he said, referring to his children. “They are so determined, disciplined, motivated, and committed. We thank the Lord for the blessings, and I thank my wife, Priscilla — she’s the one who made everything possible. It’s impossible without her support. I give her all the credit. My wife is the foundation.”
Stanley and Filomensaleonisa also competed in the mixed pairs category and won the overall title as the only participants.
Mametto and AudieScott, for their part, bagged third place in the classic and physique categories. It was their first time to compete in a bodybuilding event.
“I want to thank God,” AudieScoot said. “It’s really been a journey for me and my siblings. This would not have happened without my mom and coach Derek Cutting. It’s my first year and I’m really proud of where I am.”
“It feels really good,” Mametto said. “Before this day, I was having doubts, but I just trusted my gut and did what I had to do. Thank you to my parents for sacrificing everything.”
Other winners
In the men’s physique category, Enrico Valdez outshone seven other competitors to bag the overall title.
“I felt great,” he said. “It was a tough lineup. I prepped for about 14 weeks, and I was happy with the results,” the 30-year-old Latte Built fitness trainer added.
He said his main focus this time around was conditioning. “I did good, better than the last time I competed in 2019. I thought [this year’s competition] was fun and fair. Everyone did a good job, and it was a good turnout.”
Valdez also took first place in the tall division. Daniel Matsunaga finished second; Jolo Berveco was third; Bernadino Lopez was fourth; and Richard Waldo Jr. was fifth.
In the short division, Athan Taisaque took first place followed by Davy Laxa in second and AudieScott Iakopo in third.
Lorenzo Sanchez also went up against seven competitors and claimed the overall title for the classic physique category.
“There were a lot of people in the lineup and so having a win is much more exciting when there are a lot of competitors,” said Sanchez, who also competed in 2021.
Prepping for this year’s competition, he focused on the cut and maintaining muscle mass.
“The competition was good, there were a lot of new faces and that’s good to see in the community, especially in Saipan,” said the 26-year-old Latte Built personal trainer. He believes that “there will always be a reward after hard work and this competition is a prime example of it.”
Sanchez also won first place in the short division. Davy Laxa finished second, Mametto Iakopo was third, and Ralph Villas was fourth.
In the tall division, Daniel Matsunaga bagged first place with Jolo Berveco and Darren Matsunaga finishing second and third.
