Winners of the various titles at the annual National Bodybuilding and Fitness junior championships held at Stephanie Hall, Holy Childhood High School, on Sunday night. From left: Marcus White, Novice Mr. Jamaica; Debbie Hall, Miss Jamaica Body Fitness; Shelly-Ann McFarlane, Junior Miss Jamaica; Rushain Ruddock, Teenage Mr. Jamaica, and Richard Nelson, Junior Mr. Jamaica. - Contributed

Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer

RICHARD NELSON and Debbie Hall were the big winners at the annual Jamaica Bodybuilding and Fitness Association Mr. and Miss Jamaica junior championships at Stephanie Hall, Holy Childhood School, on Sunday night.

Nelson, a 35-year-old massage therapist at the Round Hill Hotel in MoBay and representing Body Bycliff, topped his four opponents for the Junior Mr. Jamaica bodybuilding title.

In the Miss Jamaica Body fitness, Hall, thanks to good all-round conditioning, upstaged her six opponents for the Miss Jamaica Body Fitness title after finishing third last year.

Representing Spartan Health Club, Hall, in addition to the top spot, won three sectional prizes. She was adjudged the contestant with the best figure, best conditioned and the one with the best presentation.

Shanique Green from Gymkana was second and also won the award for best legs, while Terri Garrison was third. The winner, a 27-year-old sales rep for Herbalife, said: "I am thrilled to have won but this was the result of hard work and intensive training in preparation for the championship. I'm looking forward to other competitions later this year as my goal is to represent Jamaica in the Caribbean championships."

Hall received cash awards, gift baskets and trophies for her efforts. The championship trophy and cheque were presented by David Burton, business development manager of the Wisynco Group, one of the main sponsors.

Lively and innovative presentation

Nelson, on the other hand, outpointed a good field to take the title, largely due to his lively and innovative presentation. The Montegonian was the crowd favourite and won the title ahead of the tall, bulky Michael Clarke from Mighty Moves Gym, with third going to Everald Wheatley, also from Mighty Moves.

Nelson said he was third in the Mr. Jamaica last year and now in better condition physically, was looking forward to this year's contest. He received a cash award, trophy and gift basket from the sponsors.

Meanwhile, Shelly-Ann McFarlane from Campion Pep-up Gym, won the Junior Miss Jamaica title ahead of Rosanna Hull and Pauline Samuels, her only two opponents.

Body Dynamics' Marcus White from Spanish Town beat a large field for the Mr. Jamaica Novice title ahead of Ainsworth Lee Vaughn-Carriclice from May Pen and Dwight Campbell from New Kingston's Sweat Shop.

Nineteen-year-old Rushain Ruddock, also from Sweat Shop, easily disposed of his four opponents to win the Mr. Jamaica Teenage title ahead of AaronIreland.

The large crowd was treated to an acrobatic display by two teenagers from Jamaica Vibes - Kedar Baker and Peter-John Billus.

In addition to WISYNCO, other sponsors were RST Industries, Home Style Juices, Lascelles Laboratories (Vigorton 2), Facey Commodity Limited, Sports Development Foundation, Soft Sheen Products W.I., Spartan Health Club, Rosh Marketing, Screen Scene Limited, TVJ and CVM Television.