EVERGREEN local bodybuilder Joelen Valentin proved that age was not a factor in determining the winner of any competition as he flexed his muscles last Saturday at the International Conference Centre to become Mr Seychelles 2001.

Valentin, 42, has now won the Mr Seychelles title – the most prestigious bodybuilding crown here –  three times in his long career after past wins in 1993 and 1994.

Mr Indian Ocean in 1994, Valentin, whose cupboard of silverware at home is growing every year after winning almost all the local titles over the years, had a message for younger bodybuilders after the competition. He told them to "respect their elders and not to shun tough competitions."

Valentin, who, after finishing as runner-up to Fabien Antat in last month's Mr Regatta, had sent a warning to everyone that they would be in for a surprise in the next competition, was a cut above the rest of the field of 14, who included former Mr Seychelles Regis Delorié, to succeed close friend Antat as Mr Seychelles.

It is to be noted that apart from Antat, Wilfred Payet and Marcel Ally, who was among the spectators, did not compete in the competition organised by the Seychelles Amateur Bodybuilding Association (SABBA).

As usual the bodybuilders had to do the seven compulsory poses – front double biceps, front lat spread, side chest, back double biceps, back lat spread, side triceps and abdominal and thighs. They then performed a free posing demonstration with a piece of music of their choice.

In weight categories which attracted only one competitor each – Marcel Naiken (65-kg), Jean-Claude Juliette (75-kg) and Daniel Dogley (+90-kg) –, they only had to do the free posing and automatically qualified for the grand final.

The three-man judges' panel had the task of choosing another three finalists among the remaining eight senior bodybuilders and Valentin, Delorié and Jacques-Allain Hoareau joined Naiken, Juliette and Dogley on stage in the final showdown

This meant that Joe Gabriel, Wilton Moumou, Léon Barbé, Pierre Servina and Nanon Camille were eliminated after the first round.

After the final round of compulsory posing and a number of comparisons between Valentin and Delorié, the judges gave their decisions as follows: Marcel Naiken (sixth), Daniel Dogley (fifth), Jean-Claude Juliette (fourth), Jacques-Allain Hoareau (third), Regis Delorié (second) and Joelen Valentin (first).

As prizes, Valentin, with a body weight of 80-kg, received R3,000 from Ben Trading and a trophy sponsored by SABBA.

Valentin told Sports Nation after the competition that he was happy with the win because it proved that he was still going strong at 42 years old.

"People have been saying that I was finished at 42 but I have proved them wrong tonight (Saturday night). It is true that I am a 42-year-old man, but I am still young in my head because I think positively. I worked hard after the Mr Regatta competition to shed nine kilograms and at the same time build my muscles to be what I am tonight.  I believe then that the title is the just reward for my efforts. I also have to congratulate all the competitors, the SABBA and all the judges for making this year's Mr Seychelles a successful contest," said Valentin, who also finished as runner-up in the Mr Indian Ocean in 1992 and 1993.

Runner-up Delorié, himself a former Mr Seychelles who was making a second comeback in the sport, received R2,000 from Sadec Builders and a cup, whereas third-place finisher Hoareau got R1,000 from Mohan Shopping Centre and a cup.

In the Masters' category, two former Mr Seychelles – René Youpa and Gabriel Coeur-de-Lion – were involved in a head-to-head contest and in the end it was the latter who triumphed to win R1,000 sponsored by Indian Ocean Tuna and a cup.

Youpa, the first Mr Seychelles in the early 1970s, was second to collect R400 sponsored by Mohan Shopping Centre, while Roch Valentin was third and he received R200.

It is to be noted that all cups were sponsored by the SABBA.

Spectators back

Has bodybuilding won back its lost spectators? This could well be the question on many lips, including those of SABBA members. Last Saturday's Mr Seychelles attracted a big crowd and the reason for that could either be the venue or the level of competition.

For the whole of this year, the local bodybuilding association witnessed a drop in the number of spectators which came to watch local competitions at the Plaisance community centre and at the Pépé Discotheque at Beau-Bel.

On top of that, only four competitors and in one particular contest – Mr Regatta – only three bodybuilders took the stage and it was not an encouraging sign for spectators who did not get their money's worth as competitions lasted barely an hour.

Last Saturday, even though not all competitors were up to the standard, the turn-out was good and bodybuilders who decided to stay away for whatever reasons should get themselves in shape and ready for next year as competitions are likely to be tough.

Mr Seychelles 2001 Valentin has even promised that he would be a better bodybuilder and ready to face any challenge that could come his way in the coming year.