HARD BODIES ON DISPLAY AT MICHELOB ULTRA NPC GUAM NATIONAL BODYBUILDING CHAMPIONSHIPS

By Robert Balajadia

Jeralyn Mesa hears the roars from the crowd after being introduced in the Bikini Division. (photo by Robert Balajadia)

The Annual NPC Michelob Ultra Guam National Bodybuilding Championships always brings a crowd and their 2018 event at the Sheraton Resort on Saturday night was no different. Highlighting the night was first time competitor Jeralyn Mesa, who took home the Class A and Overall winner in the crowd favorite Bikini Division.

Mesa was always on the fence about competing in the event, but she ultimately decided 2018 was her year with this particular Bodybuilding Championships being an NPC Qualifier for stateside competitions.

“It was really just a matter of when was the right time and when I would be able to commit to it because it is very time consuming and it takes a lot of discipline. You pretty much have to put everything you have into the gym. I spent two hours going twice a day, worked on cardio, posing and it’s really something I enjoyed and I consider this a worthwhile journey,” said Mesa on getting ready to compete.

Mesa was also aware that the Bikini Division is one of the toughest divisions to compete in  which made the her six months of training, and 15 weeks of prep, a pretty tough road. That, and she was going up against last years winner in Victoria Espaldon. But one thing both competitors shared was their competitive fire being lit for competing in future events.

“When you see the results and how much your body transforms with all the work you put in, it does get addicting. I’m already thinking about competing in off-island shows and hopefully I can prepare enough to prepare for the National stage knowing that I’m now NPC qualified!,” said Mesa.

Wolford returns to take top spot

Trevor Wolford celebrated his comeback with some hardware, winning Classic Physique Overall. (photo by Robert Balajadia)

Newcomers made their presence known to the Guam Bodybuilding Championships like Mesa, first year overall winner in Men’s Physique Joel Attenta and tall Bikini Class winner Shannen Wong, but former competitors also had their time in the limelight like men’s Overall Classic Physique winner Trevor Wolford.

Wolford competed in 2014 but finished 2nd place. Since then, he took four years off to focus on himself and his physique. Even though he’s been on stage under the spotlight before the nerves in 2018 were just as fresh.

“I still get nervous up there, but maybe that’s just me. I don’t really get that comfortable feeling like everyone else does,” admitted Wolford.

Tervor was supposed to compete in the event in July, but since the event got pushed back to October, his biggest challenge was to sustain his July weight (from 210 to 185) all summer.

“I just had to maintain that weight from there and be consistent in the gym and remain focused. I have to thank my sponsors Fit For You and my coach Mike from Next Level of Guam Fitness, without those two I wouldn’t be here, so I felt really confident heading into the competition today,” said Wolford.

Mighty moment

Guam’s long-time body building competitor Jason Lee Cruz took the stage for another inspirational performance that’s always garnished with fan support. But this year was a bit different than previous years after his competitor  Tahara Kiyomitsu was awarded a gold medal in the Masters Division.

After receiving his medal, Kiyomitsu instead placed his winning medal around Cruz for an on-stage emotional moment that brought tears to Cruz’s eyes. The gesture was welcomed with a standing ovation from the crowd as well as the judges.

Competitor Tahara Kiyomitsu shares his medal with long time body builder Jason Cruz on stage. (photo by Robert Balajadia)

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RESULTS

Michelob ULTRA

2018 NPC Guam National Bodybuilding Championships

1. NPC Men’s Bodybuilding
   1. Bantam Weight

1st Place: #1 Dhan Perez

2nd Place: #2 Edlin Guiao

1. 1. Lightweight

1st Place: #3 Dongseon Lim

2nd Place: #4 Jaime Rodriguez

3rd Place: #5 Jerome Guevara

1. 1. Light-Heavyweight

1st Place: #7 Gregory Aguon

2nd Place: #9 Kenneth Walker

3rd Place: #6 Derek Cutting

Overall Winner: #7 Gregory Aguon

1. NPC Men’s Classic Physique
   1. Class A

1st Place: #17 Trevor Wolford

2nd Place: #18 William Ranson

3rd Place: #19 Rodney Tomagan

1. 1. Class B

1st Place: #9 Kenneth Walker

2nd Place: #22 Daniele Reyes

3rd Place: #6 Derek Cutting

1. 1. Class C

1st Place: #3 Donsgeon Lim

Overall Winner: #17 Trevor Wolford

1. NPC Women’s Figure
   1. Class A

1st Place: #23 Christy Rose Amador

2nd Place: #25 Victoria Davis

3rd Place: #24 Maniececia White

1. 1. Class B

1st Place: #26 Katrina EL

Overall Winner: #23 Christy Rose Amador

1. NPC Men’s Physique
   1. Class A

1st Place: #35 Lucas Rebenal

2nd Place: #32 Jowel Baisa

3rd Place: #18 William Ranson

1. 1. Class B

1st Place: #39 Joshua Cantara

2nd Place: #38 Eric Gianan

3rd Place: #40 Kim Comia

1. 1. Class C

1st Place: #46 Joel Atemta

2nd Place: #45 Everette Spencer

3rd Place: #47 Travis Aguon

1. 1. Class D (Re-Judge)

1st Place: #48 Clement O’Neal

2nd Place: #49 Jonathan Muth

Overall Winner: #46 Joel Atemta

1. NPC Bikini
   1. Class A

1st Place: #52 Jeralyn Mesa

2nd Place: #55 Victoria Espaldon

3rd Place: #53 Kalene Cruz

1. 1. Class B

1st Place: #57 Shannen Wong

2nd Place: #56 Camille Bartlett

Overall Winner: #52 Jeralyn Mesa

Michelob ULTRA 2018 International Bodybuilding Championships

1. International Men’s Bodybuilding
   1. Bantamweight

1st Place: #10 Tahara Kiyomitsu

2nd Place: #1 Dhan Perez

1. 1. Lightweight

1st Place: #11 Asana Kikuo

2nd Place: #4 Jaime Rodriguez

3rd Place: #12 Sasaki Yudai

Overall Winner: #11 Asana Kikuo

1. International Men’s Masters Bodybuilding

1st Place: #10 Tahara Kiyomitsu

2nd Place: #4 Jaime Rodriguez

3rd Place: #13 Takada Rodriguez

1. International Women’s Physique

1st Place: #14 Shimizu Eriko

2nd Place: #15 Sato Takuko

Overall Winner: #14 Shimizu Eriko

1. International Mix-Pair Bodybuilding Exhibition

1st Place Pair: Pair #1 (#63 Hiroto Toshihiko and #2 Iwai Tomoko)

2nd Place Pair: Pair #2 (#64 Saito Todao and #65 Takaoka Yukie)

3rd Place Pair: Pair #3 (#13 Takada Iwao and #62 Suzuki Mitsuto)

1. International Women’s Figure / Body Fitness
   1. Class A

1st Place: #23 Christy Rose Amador

2nd Place: #27 Mida Michiru

3rd Place: #25 Victoria Davis

1. 1. Class B

1st Place: #28 Iwai Tomoko

2nd Place: #29 Niwa Hiroko

3rd Place: #26 Katrina EL

Overall Winner: #23 Christy Rose Amador

1. International Men’s Physique
   1. Class A

1st Place: #35 Lucas Rebanal

2nd Place: #32 Jowel Baisa

3rd Place: #18 William Ranson

1. International Women’s Fitness Exhibition

1st Place: #62 Suzuki Mitsuto

2nd Place: #29 Miwa Hiroko

1. International Men’s Fitness Exhibition

1st Place: #13 Takada Iwao

1. International Bikini  
   1. Class A

1st Place: #58 Yamaguchi Azusa

2nd Place: #61 Shibutani Miwako

3rd Place: #53 Kalene Cruz

1. 1. Class B

1st Place: #57 Shannen Wong

2nd Place: #60 Saino Yoko

3rd Place: #56 Camille Bartlett

Overall Winner: #57 Shannen Wong