ST JOHN’S, Antigua – Veteran bodybuilder Steve Williams said his competitors did not put up much of a fight on Saturday night when he captured the 2011 Torturer Classic bodybuilding competition held at Multipurpose & Exhibition Cultural Centre at Perry Bay.
The undefeated national champion said having won the competition with such ease further proves he is a notch above the rest.
“It shows me that I am still a level above the field and it tells the other guys now that they have to do some stepping up. So there is a little gap there and I think I am still a level above and they need now to step up to that level so we could have more of a fight in the competition. I think I won that show on Saturday night without a serious fight and that is my personal belief,” he said.
Williams, who last won the national title in 2010, said he was not in the best shape for the show as he had fallen ill just before the date and had contemplated pulling out of the contest.
“Actually, I fell off of my peak condition because I was in very good condition and a slight illness took me over a couple of days before the show and it felt like I was retaining a little water to the point where I even called the promoter and I was going to tell him, ‘I don’t think I could do the show again’ because of what I saw was happening to my body. But I managed to keep it under control and I still managed to win the show.”
Asked what his future holds, Williams said he will have to re-evaluate his decision to not compete in the nationals any longer as a possible rule change could leave him perched between a rock and a hard place.
According to Williams, plans are afoot to vote against a rule that allows for bodybuilders who would have placed at the CAC in the previous years to receive a bye to the next competition.
Some athletes have voiced concerns over the rule and are planning to have it removed.
“My plan was never to stop competing. I think people always get it wrong. My plan was really not to do the nationals any more,” he said.
“My problem is, around here, we don’t want to acknowledge or respect elite athletes, and they are saying that I would have to compete in the nationals if I am to go to the CAC. So they are forcing me a little bit there; but my plan was really not to do the nationals again.”
The winning bodybuilder walked away with a cash prize of $3,500 amongst other prizes.
Reigning national champion, Ollyn Martin, had to settle for first runner-up position, while another of the country’s top bodybuilders, Alfredo “Tunky” Allen, finished in the number two position with Alfred Jarvis, Justin Smith and Dylon Jonas finishing third, fourth and fifth, respectively.
