Dareem improves in Mr Olympia

TOP Trinidad and Tobago bodybuilder Dareem Charles placed seventh in the Mr Olympia championship in Las Vegas, Nevada. His placing in Saturday night’s contest was nine spots better than last year.

Charles, who campaigns in the United States, beat American bodybuilder Melvin Anthony who guest posed here earlier this year. The Mr Olympia title was won for the sixth time by another American, Ronnie Coleman. Of special interest was the appearance of Arnold Schwarzenegger who was back in familiar  territory. The governor-elect of California presented medals at the Mr Olympia contest, a bodybuilding competition he won seven times.

Schwarzenegger’s surprise appearance Saturday night drew cheers and chants of “Arnold” and “Governator” from the estimated crowd of 6,000 at Mandalay Bay Hotel-Casino. “Finally, I feel at home again,” the California governor-elect said. “This is a terrific sport and if it wouldn’t have been for bodybuilding I wouldn’t have any of this. It’s a great foundation.” Joe Weider, founder of the competition, said Schwarzenegger proves bodybuilding is about more than just lifting weights. “Finally it’s beginning to dawn on the world that bodybuilders are smart,” Weider said. “They develop determination. They don’t give up. They don’t lose. If they ever apply that to any profession ... they can be a great success.” Ronnie Coleman, of Arlington, Texas, walked away the winner of the 39th annual competition, taking home his sixth straight title.