Sylvan Gardner for Darcy Beckles Invitational Classic in Barbados

Nov 19, 2010 Sports

Jamie McDonald (right) hands over cheque to Sylvan Gardner at Fitness Express, Sheriff and John Streets, Campbellville.

Fitness Express assists with sponsorship

Guyana’s most successful Bodybuilder at the Central American & Caribbean level and Guyana’s second Professional athlete, Sylvan Gardner will be one of four athletes to compete at Saturday’s 3rd Darcy Beckles Invitational Classic Bodybuilding competition in Barbados at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre.
Gardner in his quest to bring more glory to Guyana received sponsorship from Fitness Express. In handing over the cheque to Gardner, Manager Jamie Mc Donald said that it was another opportunity for his entity to show tangible support for the development of local athletes.
“Fitness Express has a proud record of assisting wherever we can and we will continue to do so. Bodybuilding as a sport has brought a lot of glory to Guyana, recently we saw Hugh Ross winning the over 50 category at the Mr. Universe which is excellent motivation to our local based competitors. We wish Sylvan and the others every
success in Barbados.”
Gardner, who expressed gratitude to Mc Donald and Fitness express for their continued support, is expected along with the other athletes to leave Guyana today for Barbados.
Giftland Office Max has also chipped in with sponsorship for Gardner.
Meanwhile, Trinidad and Tobago’s world-class Pro Darrem Charles, one of the best to have come out of the Caribbean in recent years, will guest pose at this Saturday’s Classic.
The 41 year-old Charles who is based in Miami has cracked the top ten of the Mr. Olympia, on three occasions, finishing as high as seventh in the 2003 edition.
In 2005, he captured both the New York Pro and the Toronto Pro and the following season, he ruled the way in the Atlantic City Pro and was second in the New York Pro behind Phil “The Gift”?Heath.
He followed up with a triumph in the Montreal Pro Classic and in 2008, was third in the Atlantic City Pro.
The event is organized by former Barbados champion, Roger Boyce in honour of the celebrated Darcy Beckles, who won every major local and Caribbean contest during his heyday and was the spearhead of Barbados’ assault on the Mr. Universe stage from 1976-79.
Beckles was the winner of Mr. Western Hemisphere in 1976 and had a superbly sculptured physique, showcasing one of the best backs around when he bestrode the international stage like a colossus in the mid and late 1970s.