Mendiola wins gold in Guam

The CNMI’s Donivan Mendiola, left, poses with one of the competitors in the 2017 Michelob Ultra Bodybuilding and Fitness Championships, and International Invitational held last weekend at the Sheraton Laguna in Tamuning, Guam. (Contributed Photo)

It is turning out to be a banner year for Donivan Mendiola, as he triumphed anew after winning a gold medal in the 2017 Michelob Ultra Bodybuilding and Fitness Championships, and International Invitational held last weekend at the Sheraton Laguna in Tamuning, Guam.

Mendiola clinched the middleweight title, making him the first bodybuilder from Saipan or the CNMI to earn top honors in the annual tournament. He also placed third overall in the Nov. 17 competition.

Despite falling short in his goal to claim the overall title, Mendiola was not discouraged and instead is motivated to work harder to prepare for next year’s event and other tournaments.

“I’m the first person from Saipan to get the gold and battle for the overall championship here in Guam. I just fell short for the overall title, but it’s still a huge win for me because I usually place third in my weight category. So, winning first was a huge accomplishment for me. It felt great to go up against the best for the [overall] championship,” Mendiola told Saipan Tribune in an interview last Sunday.

His latest win came almost two weeks after placing third in the 2017 NPC Sean Ray’s Hawaiian Classic in Honolulu. The 23-year-old also won his division and the overall championship in last month’s Dee Clayton Classic and came in at third in the Ikaika Classic in June this year.

“It’s a very successful year for me. I’ve won in every stage I’ve stepped on this year. I’m just glad to represent,” said Mendiola, who weighed 173lbs the night of the competition.

Mendiola said his latest achievements in Guam made him more determined to target the overall crown in next year’s bodybuilding tournament.

“I beat the heavyweight and bantamweight [division winners], if I’m correct. I had a great battle for the overall title against fellow bodybuilders from Guam, Hawaii, and Japan. I’ll be back bigger, stronger, and way more conditioned for next year. By next year, I will be more than capable of winning the overall championship,” he said

What’s next for him after the competition? Mendiola answered that he’s ready for the holidays. “I’ll have a few cheat meals,” he added with a laugh.

“But I want to stay lean before bulking up so I can provide a stronger and better physique for next year. My ultimate goal is to go pro in the [International Federation of Bodybuilding & Fitness]. I know I can reach that goal with the right guidance, positivity, and mind set,” he said.

Mendiola currently works as a personal trainer at Latte Built, making it a perfect job for him. “It helps me a lot with my bodybuilding career.”

Meanwhile, Aaron Tomokane and Enrico Valdez also competed in Guam with the former placing third in bodybuilding’s heavyweight division and the latter coming in at fourth in the physique short class.

Domontinez Watts (bantamweight), Japan’s Kikuo Asano (lightweight), Sean Aikman (welterweight), and Gregory Roque Aguon (heavyweight) were the other competitors for the overall crown. Asano went home with the overall title in the Guam National Physique Federation-organized competition.