Tomokane rules 4th Clayton Classic

Aaron Tomokane shows off his winning form during the 2014 Dee Clayton Classic Bodybuilding Tournament held last Saturday at the Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center. (Jon Perez)

The Gold’s Gym personal trainer bested four others to rule the Figure and Bodybuilding categories of the annual competition that’s now on its fourth year.

Tomokane topped the welterweight division then beat lightweight and bantamweight division winners Tristan Ecalnea and Jun Ming, respectively, in the final pose down.

“We all worked hard before this competition. What we’ve done, it is not easy. We put an extreme effort in training and dieting that’s why I think that all of us are winners here. Thank you to all the support and I hope this would get bodybuilding back on the island,” said Tomokane.

The 21-year-old, who was last year’s overall winner of the Physique category, said he hopes to be an inspiration to others to get fit and try the sport of bodybuilding.

“Bodybuilding is pretty much pushing your body to its full potential. It you’re up for the challenge, it will be one of the greatest things that you can accomplish. Why not give it a shot?” said the Gold’s Gym desk representative and bike instructor.

“Bodybuilding kind of died out back then and I want to help bring it back. Make it big again especially to the younger generation of bodybuilders,” added Tomokane, who wished the three youngsters who joined the competition the best of luck in their chosen sport.

Gino Celis, George Pangelinan, and Nate Cruz went 1-2-3 in the 15 to 17 Junior Physique division.

“They are going to be the future and I hope they get serious with their training. They will be great and reach their full potential once they reach my age,” said Tomokane. “They started out young and how I wish I could have also started when I was at their age.”

He said that he never stopped training right after last year’s tournament. “[But] for this competition, I took my training to the next level and worked hard for the last three months. I also went on a strict diet before the competition that’s why I’m going to celebrate after this.”

Tomokane said that he will next prepare to compete in Guam next month. “After that, I’m going to come back again to defend my title next year bigger and stronger.”

Jun Riodique and Neil Ayson placed second in the welterweight and light middleweight divisions, respectively, while Vince Aldan topped the Open and overall Physique categories.

Gerald Galang, Donovan Mendiola, Alberto Roberto, and John Nekaifes finished second, third, fourth, and fifth to Aldan in the Open Physique, while Ray Rueda, Nomar Arcangel, Ben Tobin and 49-year-old Roland Vicencio were the top four in the Masters division.

Chm Star Gordon topped the women’s Bikini and Physique class against Stephanie Yagi and last year’s Gold’s Gym Biggest Loser winner Mona Indalencio Corpuz.

Organizer Dee Clayton said, with the tournament just concluding its fourth edition, she expects that more will join next year. “Last year only nine joined but this year 21 competed in various categories. It is growing every year.”

“What I’m planning next is to invite those on Tinian, Rota, Guam, and Hawaii to have a bigger tournament in the coming years,” added the 12-year veteran bodybuilding competitor.

“Through my experience and passion of promoting the sport, I want to encourage and give others the chance to have a healthy lifestyle,” Clayton ended. (Jon Perez)