Body beautiful nationals on Dec. 29

Richard Dwight

A shot in the arm as it were, was given to the sport, bodybuilding and fitness by the Minister of Sports and Public Recreation, Gamini Lokuge, when he in August appointed, Jeff Schucroft, as chairman of the interim committee of Sri Lanka Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation (SLBFF).

Schucroft, a former bodybuilding champion and an administrator of proven ability, lost little or no time, when a four member team with the concurrence of the Sports Ministry was picked to represent Sri Lanka at the Asian championship held in September in Shanghai.

The exercise ended on a successful note in that, Sisira Kumara, of Sri Lanka was placed fourth at the Asian championship. He, Schucroft followed this up with the Mr. Novices contest and the Mr. Classic competition.

The highly enthusiastic, Schucroft, with a rare zest and zeal for the sport, will sign off the yearly calendar of events for the SLBFF by holding its 53rd national championship. It will be held on the 29th of December at 5.30 p.m. at the BMICH, the semi-finals will be worked off on the 22nd of December at 9 a.m. at the Central YMCA Fort and sponsoring the event would be Life, Health and Fitness (Pvt) Ltd.

These details and yet other information was made known to the media at a briefing held last Thursday at the Sugathadasa Sports Hotel by Jeff Schucroft, and a member of the organising committee, J. M. K. B. Jayasekara.

The Managing Director, Life, Health and Fitness (Pvt) Ltd, Reshi Fernandopulle, representing the sponsors, Myo Elements the only brand in South East Asia said, that the company’s main objective was to supply proteins through supplements with the base being extracts from cows’ milk. Earlier the misconception was that this health drink was a steroid, but with time and experience, it has been proved wrong, concluded Fernandopulle.

There will be a little over 100 bodybuilders vying for championship honours competing in eight senior categories which are as follows, and drawn from 35 clubs affiliated to the SLBFF.

1. Fly Weight (up to 60 kg), 2. Banton Weight (up to 65 kg), 3. Light Weight (up to 70 kg), 4. Welter Weight (up to 75 kg), 5. Light Middle Weight (up to 80 kg), 6. Middle Weight (up to 85 kg), 7. Light Heavy Weight (up to 90 kg), 8. Heavy Weight (up to 90 kg).

Junior championship: 1. Banton Weight (up to 65 kg), 2. Light Weight (up to 70 kg).

Three Masters will be participating in this championship along with the Seniors.

Pathmasiri Perera from Atlas Bodybuilding Club, former Mr. Sri Lanka (1977, ‘78, ‘79 who is 62 years old also participating in the Light Heavy Weight class. W. A. J. Jayalal from Otters Aquatic Club who is 45 years old, also participating in this championship in the Middle Weight class. T. R. Marjan from Power World (Colombo 3), 45 years old, also participating in this championship in the Fly Weight class.