By James Cowling, Port Moresby 2015 Games News Service
PORT MORESBY, July 12 – Defending champion Virginie Foucault (NCL) will be flexing her muscles in a bid for more gold when the bodybuilding competition gets underway is held at the Port Moresby 2015 Pacific Games on Monday July 13.
Foucault won two gold medals at Noumea 2011, the women’s -55kg weight class and overall title.
The other returning champions are Jack Viyufa (PNG), who won gold in both the men’s -75kg category and overall, and Sitani Tautalanoa from Tonga who won the men’s -80kg event.
Tautalanoa has dropped down to the -75kg category for Port Moresby 2015 so Viyufa will be facing some stiff competition as he defends his title in front of a home crowd.
Bodybuilding was introduced to the Pacific Games programme at the Papeete 1995 edition of the Games because of a strong history and culture of warriors coming from many South Pacific nations.
Bodybuilders are judged on criteria such as symmetry, muscularity and conditioning while posing in specific and individual routines.
Twelve gold medals will be awarded at Port Moresby 2015, nine in men’s competition and three for women.
Men will compete in eight weight divisions ranging from -65kg to +95kg, women in -55kg and +55kg classes with gold medals also awarded in men’s and women’s overall categories.
Famous bodybuilders include Charles Atlas (USA), Arnold Schwarzenegger (USA) and Lou Ferrigno (USA), the Incredible Hulk.
The single day of bodybuilding competition at Port Moresby 2015 will take place at Caritas Technical Secondary School on Monday July 13.
For information about bodybuilding tickets call the Pacific Games ticket hotline on 180 2015 or download the ticket purchasing guide.
GNS jc/pg for more information visit www.portmoresby2015.com
