Cielo Long and Liekeila’akata Iakopo pose in the bikini category of the 2023 Dee Clayton Classic & Northern Marianas Bodybuilding Federation fitness pageant Saturday at Saipan World Resort.
Filomenaleonisa Iakopo and Jastine Doria smile as they pose with their trophies in the figure category of the 2023 Dee Clayton Classic & Northern Marianas Bodybuilding Federation fitness pageant Saturday at Saipan World Resort.
The participants of this year’s Dee Clayton Classic & Northern Marianas Bodybuilding Federation fitness pageant pose with their trophies Saturday at Saipan World Resort.
CIELO Long and Filomenaleonisa Iakopo successfully defended their titles as overall winners in their respective bikini and figure categories in the 2023 Dee Clayton Classic & Northern Marianas Bodybuilding Federation fitness pageant Saturday at Saipan World Resort.
Long showcased the hard work that she had put her body through and was awarded with the first prize in the short division of the bikini category. She was also named overall winner for the second time in a row.
“It’s an honor to be back home and doing the thing I love with people that I love,” said Long, who, with her twin sister Isa, is attending Harvard University and is spending her summer in the CNMI.
“This is a sport that I’ve always loved since high school so it’s nice to be on stage and be with the people I knew in high school. The competition was great,” Cielo Long said.
Although the 18-year-old only prepared for two to three months before the show, she “definitely felt more comfortable with my physique; I feel like I’ve grown. I know my areas around the sport. I know how to prep and I’m familiar with the routines and protocols that you must endure to do a show like this. I’m proud of myself and the rest of the competitors,” she said.
Long focused on strength training and building muscle mass.
For her part, Liekeila’akata Iakopo claimed first place in the tall division of the bikini category. “Initially, I wasn’t exactly interested but seeing my family persevere through all that they do has motivated me to do this. It’s more of a family bonding experience than anything,” said Iakopo. “This has really been a great experience. I’d be more than happy to compete again.”
Defending her overall title was Filomenaleonisa Iakopo who bested Jastine Doria in the figure category.
“I feel very blessed,” Filomenaleonisa said. “I really wanted to come back on stage and defend my title. I pushed myself with dieting — cutting water was the hardest for me. But it’s the results and discipline that is rewarding. Everything is always worth it.”
Filomenaleonisa and her sister Liekeila’akata thanked their trainer Derek Cutting as well as their parents Stanley and Priscilla Iakopo for their time and efforts.
Jastine Doria did not go empty handed as she topped the women’s physique category in which she was the solo competitor.
Also taking the spotlight were the competitors in the fitness pageant category. In the short division, Nicolette Martin won first place. Le’ana Lizama came in second and Antonette Martin finished third. In the tall division, lone competitor Eva Weaver took first place and won the overall title.
The men’s results will be released in the next edition of Variety.
