The National Cultural Centre in Georgetown was upside down Saturday night during the sixth edition of the One Guyana Stage of Champions. What began as a regular edition of the annual bodybuilding and fitness spectacle ended in a historic evening for Surinamese strength sports. Two athletes from Suriname - Marlon Henery and Rafael Kromokarijo - managed to crown themselves as champions and in the process grabbed a coveted IFBB Pro Card. A milestone for the Surinamese bodybuilding community, which is becoming increasingly vocal on the international stage.
Marlon Henery, who competed in the heaviest bodybuilding class (over 95 kg), dominated from his first pose. His muscle definition, balance and stage presence were undeniably superior. The judges needed little time to decide: Henery was not only the best in his class, but also the overall winner of the evening. This earned him not only the highest cash prize of the evening - $600,000 Guyanese - but also the passport to the international IFBB Pro scene.
In the Men's Physique category, it was 24-year-old Rafael Kromokarijo who caught the attention of judges and audience alike. With his symmetrical physique and confident appearance, he won the up to 176 cm class, leaving behind competitors from Trinidad, Barbados and host country Guyana, among others. His victory also earned him an IFBB Pro Card, making him the first Surinamese Men's Physique athlete to make the transition to the professional circuit.
There were also Surinamese hopes among the ladies, but it was Guyanese Christina Ramsammy who ultimately took victory in the Bikini Open class. Still, Suriname did not fall outside the top here either, with strong performances by Ralissa Weleleer and Charelle Meyer, among others.
The atmosphere at the National Cultural Center was exuberant. Fans, family members and sports enthusiasts from across the region witnessed an evening that will go down in the books as one of the most competitive editions of the event to date. The organizers, in the hands of the Guyana Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation (GBBFF), managed to put down a flawless professional platform for athletes dreaming of international recognition.
For Suriname, this double victory means more than just sporting glory. It is proof that with dedication, discipline and vision, even a small country can be big on the world bodybuilding stage. The accomplishments of Henery and Kromokarijo will undoubtedly inspire young athletes to push their limits and strive for the highest podiums.
The spotlight may have been on Guyana this weekend, but it was Suriname that shone.
