Bodybuilding included in 2023 Pacific Games program

Derek Cutting won the overall bodybuilding competition of the 2021 Dee Clayton Classic last November at the Saipan World Resort. (MICHAEL JORNAL)

After an awe-inspiring performance by Team NMI in the 2022 Northern Marianas Pacific Mini Games last month, its athletes are now setting their eyes at the 2023 Pacific Games in November, with bodybuilding included in the program, according to Latte Built 24 Hour Gym’s Facebook page on July 5. 

Latte Built said first and foremost, for “athletes representing [the CNMI] who wish to join the team must compete in the Dee Clayton Classic and Northern Marianas Bodybuilding and Physique Federation in order to qualify for the Pacific Games competition.” 

This year’s DC Classic and the NMBBPF is scheduled for Nov. 5, 2022. 

“The federation is in discussion about hosting next year’s competition in the summer of 2023 to give athletes plenty of time to dial in their final package for November 2023 Pacific Games,” said Latte Built management about next year’s DC Classic competition.

When asked if anyone has already expressed interest in joining the Pacific Games, they said “there are already a few men and women competitors who are interested. Some have competed before, and a few are new to the sport but there’s still plenty of time, so we suggest if you do want to be part of the team you start now. 

They added that there is “no limit” for participants “but just like the Mini Games sports we will narrow it down to a strong team before the Pacific Games in November [2023].”

Interested persons may contact federation president Dee Clayton at dianemmc1@yahoo.com or contact the official team coach Derek Cutting at lattebuilt@gmail.com.

Last year, Derek Cutting won the 2021 DC Classic overall bodybuilding competition.

The Northern Marianas Sports Association earlier this month announced that with the help of the administration of Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, they are looking at chartering a flight to send 150-200 athletes to the 2023 Pacific Games. 

For the 2023 Honoria Pacific Games, 24 countries are anticipated to join and the program consists of 24 sports including archery, athletics, basketball, bodybuilding, boxing, football, futsal, golf, hockey, karate, netball, outrigger canoeing, powerlifting, rugby league nines, rugby sevens, sailing, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, touch rugby, triathlon, volleyball, beach volleyball, and weightlifting.

Other CNMI sports teams have yet to confirm their participation in the Pacific Games.