Browne ready for CAC showdown

Date: 28-09-2006 Posted by: Anabolic Info TeamBarbados

HEAVYWEIGHT RONDA BROWNE is pumped and ready to capture the region's top women's muscle title at this weekend's Central America and Caribbean (CAC) Championships.

Browne and Sophia Forte, the only other female bodybuilder on the team, leave today for Jamaica with the national team.

Browne, who won the Ms Barbados in 2001, made an impressive comeback at Nationals after being off the scene for some time. The heavyweight stunned the audience with her impressive shoulder and arm development on her way to capturing her second Ms Barbados.

"I am ready," said the 5-foot 7-inch Browne. "I look better than at Nationals and I believe I'm in the kind of shape to pull it off."

Forte can be considered a newcomer, with only this year's Ms Bridgetown and Nationals competition as her only experience on stage so far. However, the 5-foot 1-inch competitor has made a good showing at each event.

For the past few years women's bodybuilding has fallen on tough times, with few women venturing on to the stage. This year, Forte and Browne have been at the forefront, and are perfect examples of the positive health and physical benefits of lifting weights.

Browne, 36, said many women stay away from bodybuilding because of the fear of looking masculine.

"A lot of women have a fear of looking too musculine, and they are also afraid of the hard work involved. But I tell them it's a way to stay fit and healthy."

The heavyweight intends to go as far as possible in bodybuilding.

"I really love the sport. Lynda Murry inspired me. After seeing and reading about her in magazines my dream was to have a physique like hers," she said.

The full team:

Andre Miller, juniors; Patrick Harris, bantamweight; Anderson Bispham, lightweight; Laron Gibson, lightweight; Christopher Belle, welterweight; Owen Dottin, middleweight; Hoskins Worrell, middleweight; Othneil Forde, light heavyweight; Sophia Forte, women's lightweight, Rhonda Browne, women's heavyweight.

Body Fitness – (tall class) Tamesha Lewis; medium class – Carol King; and short class – Sebollena Ifill.

Fitness – (medium class) Renée Cobham and Nicole Carter; short class – Nikita Robinson.