Dela Cruz Ngiraibuuch: Body building champion

Three weight divisions, seven competitors, and nobody had what the judges saw in Jose Dela Cruz Ngiraibuuch, as the 161-lbs. piece of iron walked away with the title of Northern Marianas Overall Body Building Champion at the Multi-Purpose building in Susupe.

On Saturday night, Ngiraibuuch edged out another physical disciplinarian, Stanley Tapua’ialupe Iakopo in the Middleweight division, to advance to the finals. Once there he jockeyed for position in the final pose down with the winners of the Lightweight division, Jeff Boyer and Light-Heavyweight division, Jonmarch Ong.

After minutes of flexing, smiling, and sweating to the music of DJ J.P., Ngiraibuuch looked to the ceiling and let out a roar as he was announced the overall champion to the cheers of the crowd.

“It was fun. It was a good show and I want to thank Gold’s Gym,” Ngiraibuuch said.

The champ offered that there are no real secrets to becoming a successful body builder. He explained that the road to becoming a winner is all about dedication, diet and discipline.

“If you want to be into body building, you’ve got to eat a lot of broccoli and chicken breasts. Everyday I try to hit the gym between 5:30am and 6am with Jeff, and we’re in there for 45 minutes to an hour. Then we go back there in the afternoon. There’s nothing hard about it, you just have to go.”

Ong echoed Ngiraibuuch’s sentiments, adding that he needed to prepare longer to go up and win against seven of the island’s most serious weightlifters.

“I only really prepared for one month. That was not enough. You have to be in there three to four hours per day, and at least five days a week.”

Everyone in attendance was cheering on the competitors, and it would seem that there was interest enough generated for another event. Chief Judge and event organizer, Josephine Togawa-Plinske said that the event went very well and that this was a great experience for the first time ccompetitors. “Now there will be more enthusiasm among the competitors for future event.” She hinted at the possibility of a Gold’s Gym Classic in roughly six months, but said that she needs to test the field for their interest level first.

If you are interested in further information about the sport of body building, contact the staff at Gold’s Gym by calling 233-4000.