Returning to centre stage after two years, veterans Inoke Ligairi and Elizabeth Maki dominated the Mr and Ms Fiji Bodybuilding and Fitness Transformation competition on Saturday night in Suva.
Ligairi won the Men’s Bodybuilding Under-95kg before lining up against the likes of Bill Tawake, Nilesh Chand, Bimal Sudukhar and Rishi Raj where he displayed all the hardwork he has been doing in the last two years to clinch his sixth Mr Fiji title.
With experience, class and beauty, Maki who hails from Waibalavu in Naitasiri won her fifth Ms Fiji title, impressing the judges after lining up against Cecilia Kado and Anne Averell.
Ligairi, 45, said the competition gets tougher each year.
“I think it’s getting harder because we have some good and upcoming athletes and that challenges us the old bodybuilders, so we must dig deep to win, but it’s a good thing as the sport is growing.
“There has been a lot of interests from the young guys coming up and its our duty to continue to grow the sport and teach them how to excel in the sport of bodybuilding,” the 2015 Pacific Games silver medalist stated.
On the same note, 46-year-old Maki was pleased with the progress of the sport under the leadership of the Fiji Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation president, Ilaitia Tuinamoala.
“The win is very special because it’s been a few years now since I compete, I think 2020 was my last competition.
“Last year I did prep for a show, but then due to the changes of the dates we pulled out. It’s good to be back with some of the senior athletes and I’m so proud to have four other women competitors coming into the sport. I hope a lot of women take up bodybuilding. It’s a minority sport but I would encourage any woman to come and do it. It’s a very good sport to get into.
“I think with our new federation now there’s more exposure and investment of time and interest for the athletes because it is an individual and expensive sport to be in. It’s important that we have good support and now that we have that there are more people getting into it now as it has been extended to fitness and not just bodybuilding so anybody can do it.”
Winners: Junior Physique: Baszil Cleary Women’s Bikini: Priyanka Singh Men’s Physique: Bill Tawake Women’s Figure: Priyanka Singh Men’s Bodybuilding Masters: Rishi Raj Under-70kg: Bimal Sudukhar Under-80kg: Nilesh Chand Under-85kg: Bill Tawake Under-95kg: Inoke Ligairi
