Suriname’s Soepe Koese did not let his diminutive stature be a deterrent, as he flexed and posed his way to the inaugural Mr. Flex Night overall title on Saturday evening at the National Cultural Centre. Standing at four feet, 11 inches, Koese was the shortest bodybuilder to hit the stage, but was certainly right up with the others in terms of his body structure and physique.
Weighing in at 153 pounds and competing in the Under 154 pounds division, Koese had earlier gotten the better of four-time Central American and Caribbean (CAC) gold medallist, Sylvan Gardner and Marlon Bennett, to stake his claim for the overall title.
In the overall pose down, Koese was up against Rawle Greene (176 pounds and over champion), Delon Harlequin (166-176 pound winner) and reigning Hugh Ross Classic (HRC) overall winner and this year’s CAC bronze medallist, Kerwin ‘Chisel’ Clarke, who won the 155-165 pound class.
While the four men battling to gain the judges attention, it was Koese who got the nod, although Clarke was a huge favourite of the fans. Greene finished in the runner-up spot, followed by Clarke and Harlequin in that order.
Despite Koese effort, Guyana copped the Digicel Best Country award. On the distaff side, the versatile Alisha Fortune lifted the Ms. Flex Night title ahead of Candacy Lynch.
This year’s HRC Female Figure winner, Nadina Taharally took the Miss Best Legs Trophy, with Stacy Small, Chelan Yhap, Marissa Lowden and Shawnell Warner finishing behind Taharally in that order.
In the Miss Bikini competition, however, Warner donned a gold two-piece bathing suit and lifted the first place trophy. She won ahead of her Fitness Paradise Gym mate, Yhap. Taharally placed third, followed by Small. Former Dutch Fitness champion, Gisa Ter Haar, was the guest poser at the event.