PHILIPSBURG—St. Maarten Body Building and Fitness Association (SMBBFA) athlete Luanda Gutierrez reached the semi-finals of the Bikini Wellness category at a competition in Colombia recently, the association disclosed.
She was participating in the Olympia Amateur South America event at the Playa Mayor Convention and Expo Center. Bikini Wellness was an exhibition category in 2016 but changed into a competitive category in 2017.
The category was an open class consisting of 25 short and tall female athletes who were judged together. The association in its release considered Luanda’s height of 5’5 or 163cm put her at a disadvantage as the majority of the female competitors were taller.
Bikini Wellness calls for a feminine physique, with firm and smooth muscle curves, lacking in fat or cellulite to allow greater development of the legs.
“Luanda was one of the 15 selected into the semi-finals from which six athletes were chosen to contest the finals. She did not make it into the finals but for her this was not a setback but a learning experience since she only had three months of preparation due changing the category,” the association explained. “Previously she competed in Bikini but decided to compete in Bikini Wellness Category.
“For Luanda, there will always be room for improvements .She has already noted that she needs more muscle mass in her legs and glutes and the process has already started. Her next competition will be in July in French St. Martin in the local competition there where she will show her improvements and then on to CAC later in the year with the IFBB St. Maarten Federation.
“Besides God and her sponsors she wants to thank IFBB St. Maarten Federation especially Secretary Jennifer Johnson and President Martina Rodney-Jones. For what she has accomplished in those shorts months, to be competition-ready to go on stage representing proudly the Association and St. Maarten as a whole, we are very proud of Luanda,” the association concluded.
