Valdez, Sanchez, Iakopo are overall champs

From left, men’s overall Classic Physique winner Lorenzo Sanchez, men’s overall Bodybuilding champion Stanley Iakopo, and third place in Bodybuilding, Ralph Villas, pose for a photo during the awarding of the 2023 Dee Clayton Classic and Northern Marianas Bodybuilding and Physique Federation Championships last Saturday evening at the Saipan World Resort’s Taga Hall.(LEIGH GASES)

The 2023 Dee Clayton Classic and Northern Marianas Bodybuilding and Physique Federation Championships saw 21 contestants compete for the coveted titles of overall champions last Saturday evening at the Saipan World Resort’s Taga Hall.

The Men’s Physique overall title went to Enrico Valdez out of eight competitors; Lorenzo Sanchez bested six others for the overall championship of the Classic Physique category; and Stanley Iakopo grabbed the overall championship in the Bodybuilding category out of two others.

Valdez took first place in the tall division of the Men’s Physique and the overall title. Second to him was Daniel Matsunaga; third place went to Jolo Berueco; fourth was Bernardino Lopez; and fifth went to Richard Waldo Jr.

In the short category of the Men’s Physique, first place went to Athan Taisague; Davy Laxa took second place; and Audiescott Iakopo went home with third place.

From left, second place in the short category of the Men’s Physique Davy Laxa, first place Athan Taisague, and third place Audiescott Iakopo during the awarding of the 2023 Dee Clayton Classic and Northern Marianas Bodybuilding and Physique Federation Championships last Saturday at the Saipan World Resort Taga Hall.(LEIGH GASES)

Sanchez, meanwhile, took first place in the short division of the Classic Physique category and the overall championship. Second to Sanchez was Davy Laxa; third was Mametto Iakopo; and Ralph Villas took fourth place.

First place in the tall category went to Daniel Matsunaga; second was Jolo Berueco; and third was Darren Matsunaga.

In the Bodybuilding category, Stanley Iakopo in the lightweight class took the overall title; Lorenzo Sanchez in the bantamweight and Ralph Villas in the welterweight were the only competitors in their respective weight classes and took first place.

For 30-year-old Valdez, he prepped for 14 weeks leading up to competition day. He said he felt great winning overall as it’s a tough lineup with more competitors. “I feel good about the results… And I think I did pretty good—better than the last time I competed,” he said. “Last time I competed was in 2019 but that was for fun—I wasn’t that serious, but this show I took it a little serious because I actually prepared for it.”

On his thoughts of the competition, he said that it was a good turnout. When asked if he will be representing the CNMI in the Pacific Games this November, he said that he will be leaving soon and won’t be able to, but he’ll be training people for that competition.

Enrico Valdez, center, is the overall champion of the Men’s Physique category in the 2023 Dee Clayton Classic and Northern Marianas Bodybuilding and Physique Federation Championships last Saturday evening at the Saipan World Resort Taga Hall.(LEIGH GASES)

As for 26-year-old Sanchez, his thoughts were that he’s hungry but that it felt good winning as there’s more people competing. “A win is a lot more exciting when there’s a lot of competitors. The last time I competed there were probably only two people, so when you get that win—yes, it’s good that you won, but you kind of want that challenge a little bit.”

His preparation for the competition consisted of him focusing on cutting while maintaining muscle, so not really on a particular body part, “just try and make sure everything is in working order.”

The competitors this time around, Sanchez said, were good. “There’s a lot of people and a lot of new faces, so that’s a good thing to see in the community. We want to see a lot more people get into this kind of sport because it does help into the discipline aspect. It’s not just about the gym, but about trying to survive through the prep, and just knowing that outside in life, there’s always going to be a reward after hard work. So this competition is a prime example of that.”

The patriarch of the Iakopo family, Stanley Iakopo, thanked his wife for being their rock in their family. He and all his four children had a podium finish in this competition. He said “it’s impossible without your spouse and the support of your wife—so I give all the credit to my wife for everything she’s done for me and the children.”

Results of the other categories will be posted in the next issues of Saipan Tribune.