TT brace for aerobics challenge

TRINIDAD and Tobago begin their quest to take on the best of the Caribbean with the zonal finals of the Caribbean Aerobic Championships on Saturday.

The first of the zonal events takes place at the Central sports arena, Chaguanas, with the South Central finals. This zonal event will bring together some of the finest and fitness athletes from as far as Point Fortin,  Pleasantville, San Fernando, Chaguanas, Longden-vlle and surrounding areas. In the last two years, Nicole Cain has dominated the South Central region. Her smooth rhythm and determination to go the distance at any cost has made her not just a zonal champion, but  a leading Caribbean competitor, and one whom you cannot take lightly for the crown as fittest person in the region.

The South/Central region has always shown its class in the grand finals, with other names as Rashida Mohammed as a serious contenders. The South/Central competition is also known for having the oldest competitor, Edna Andrews.  A woman with Tobago roots, she competed last year at age 72.   She has been an inspiration to many who were on the fence for many years and took up the challenge because of her determination.  Fans have come to the grand finals just to see how she would perform against the more sleek youths with a higher level of energy and mobility. She may never get a fittest person in the Caribbean title, but she will always be a winner by just participating.  

This year, the Caribbean’s fittest person will walk away with a huge trophy and the richest first prize ever in the competition of ten thousand dollars. The format for this year’s zonal competitions will remain the same. The elite group of local judges will first seek to elect a quality field of competitors to appear in the finals and once that has been decided, competitors will then go on to battle for the zonal title. Registration will be made on the day of the zonal finals. Competition begins at 2 pm and registration starts at noon. This year Jamaica will be coming to Trinidad and Tobago for the first time to participate in an aerobic competition. Their top two athletes from  the 2002 competitions will represent the island in the grand finals on May 31 at the Jean Pierre Sports Complex. 

The Jamaicans are very excited about coming to TT. They are a very competitive bunch and have been training very hard to give the Trinidad and Tobago athletes a run for their money. Knowing that the crowd support in Trinidad and Tobago is always at its best, a group of supporters will be at the finals to shout for their two male competitors. In July, the Jamaicans have their Jamaican Fitness association finals and are expecting that Trinidad and Tobago will send competitors to their event. This year promises to be even more exciting that last year, with more regional participation.  Barbados, Antigua and Puerto Rico are also coming for the grand finals.

The month of May has been dubbed fitness month.  Following the South/Central finals on May 3, the scene shifts to the Woodbrook Youth Facility for the North/East finals on May 10.. The routines on May 17 and, the Tobago finals on May 18 complete the qualifying programme.   As we get ready for May 31, ask yourself these questions, is the Caribbean ready to take on Trinidad and Tobago,  and can Gerard Fordedo win it again.?