Williams unhappy

Local bodybuilder Dimitri Williams is basking in his recent success, having achieved fifth ranking overall in the International Natural Body Building Federation’s (INBF) Amateur World Open Men’s Competition on November 14.{{more}}

He has been a competitive bodybuilder for four years and has been enjoying some success.

His recent success, including placing first in the Mr. Universe competition in Barbados in July and second in 2008, is evidence of his ability.

His fifth world ranking is his lowest placing in any individual tournament, but is his best performance to date, having come up against 25 of the world’s best in the sport.

“I feel good,” Williams told SEARCHLIGHT.

He did not hide his religious affiliation as he thanked God first for his successes.

Williams said he would be focusing on turning to the professional circuit and plans on venturing to Barbados next year for “pro-qualifiers”.

But amid all the successes, the young sportsman has enjoyed, he is unhappy with the state of the sport in his native land.

“Even though we are trying to push bodybuilding, it’s in a sad state,” Williams complained.

Williams said he did not want to go on record to discuss the state of the local body building federation, but spoke openly of the poor state of affairs of the sport in the country generally.

“As an active body builder, I am concerned where it [the sport] is headed,” Williams said.

He said that he, with the assistance of others, had been trying to revive the sport here as they seek to get more youths interested and involved.

“After a while we will be gone.”

Williams expressed dissatisfaction with the local support during the time he was making preparations to journey to New York on his last outing.

“There’s no force behind us,” Williams said.

According to the young muscleman, he was unsuccessful in obtaining sponsorship.

He informed SEARCHLIGHT that he had gone to seek assistance from at least three sources and was turned down.

Williams said he had to resort to family members, and with the assistance of a few others such as Randy’s Supermarket, his pastor Hollis Charles and Opposition Leader Arnhim Eustace, he was able to gather enough funds to complete the journey.

He spoke of the expenses, including airfare, accommodation, dietary supplements and the additional cost of the required foods.

“It makes no sense. It’s just us, and I think I will call it quits over here. That’s where we are losing sportsmen [because] there is no support and another country will want you more.”

Attempts to stage a show here had to be scrapped, he said, as a number of entrants pulled out. (DD)