By Monica Iheakam
It was a combination of glitz, glamour and sheer muscles as winners emerged at the 2023 edition of the ‘Mr. FLEX NIGERIA’ championship in Lagos.
Organized by the foremost body building and fitness championship in Nigeria, ‘Mr. FLEX NIGERIA, this year’s edition marks the 11th edition of the championship titled, “Let the muscle speak again,” featuring ranking body builders in various categories.
The sizeable crowd at the National Institute for Sports (NIS) Gymnasium hall at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, were dazzled as chiselled athletes put on a show in a free posing routine, jostling for the judges’ attention as they displayed rippling abdominals, well-defined quadriceps and sculpted arms.
When it was time to crown the King, Ayotunde Ajayi aka Lagos Body emerged the overall winner and will represent Nigeria in South Africa.
In the Men’s Physique, Lloyd Ibeneme, went home the winning plaque, while Okechukwu Livinus and Ebuka Augstine came second and third respectively.
In the Bikini category, Perpetual Nnanna, Victory Okeke rocked the podium as winner and runner up respectively.
Speaking after the tourney, National President ‘Mr Flex Nigeria’, Stephen A Okolie-Odene, said the winners were chosen based on criteria of body, chemistry, definition and pose.
Okolie-Odene, while expressing satisfaction on the outcome of the championship, decried the inability of the federal government to recognise the sport by giving it a federation.
He stated that persistence and regularity in the championship have earned Nigeria a Bodybuilding associate country, also a member of World Fitness Federation (WFF)
“Major challenges that we have been facing are sponsorship as well as government recognition because they have failed to give us a body building federation.
“Our aim is to raise champions and give Nigeria a sustainable place in world Fitness and bodybuilding rankings.
“Some athletes have used this platform to represent the country in international championships in which many of them won laurels for the country.
Meanwhile special awards and recognitions were bestowed on sports personalities like Dr. Rafiu Ladipo, Nollywood legendary actor, Paul Obazele, Chief Joseph Odebatu amongst others.