The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

JIMMY Norius, who wants to be known as a versatile bodybuilder, will return from the Joe Weilder’s Mr Olympia Amateur South America as a fifth place finisher in the men’s physique competition.

Norius, the only Bahamian to compete in the event in Medellin, Colombia on Saturday, was making his debut in the competition as he switched from bodybuilding to physique to test his ability to compete at such a high level in a different segment.

“The competition was much more advanced than the Central American and Caribbean Championships and the top two in my class were competing in the physique competition for the past 34 years,” Norius told The Tribune after the championships.

“I really thought I was going to get third place, but I had a little too much muscle in certain areas and they marked me down for that. But I’m pretty pleased with what I got. As long as you make the final, they gave you some type of award, so I was pleased to get fifth place.”

Norius said it was ridiculous to watch so many competitors who competed in the various segments of the championships and the way the organisers were able to pull it all together without any glitches.

“There were so many athletes competing in the championships in all of the categories,” Norius said. “You could have a perfect body and still not win the title. That was just how tough the competition was.

“The only thing I didn’t agree with was the food, but the competition out there was really stiff. I’m really glad that I got the opportunity to go and compete in it. I think I learned about the sport and am eager to compete in my next competition.”

If he had to do it all over again, Norius said he wouldn’t mind competing again in the physique as opposed to bodybuilding where he has been able to make a name for himself on both the local and international scene.

“There were some competitors who I beat in some of the bodybuilding shows, who performed very well here,” Norius said. “So while I was just trying to challenge myself to compete in another segment of the sport, I think I will do it again.

“I love fitness and I would love to go down as a competitor who not only competed in bodybuilding, but was successful in competing in other categories. I want to be known as a versatile competitor.”

On March 11 in West Palm Beach, Florida, Norius is expected to compete in the CG Classic and Pro Qualifier where he intends to try his hand in the men’s classic physique.

“Making it to the final and placing fifth is extremely successful on the world stage at Mr Olympia,” Norius stated. “But I’m not going to say that I am not going to compete in bodybuilding anymore.

“I’m going to try my hand in other categories because I want to go down as an all-around versatile athlete and the first Bahamian to have been successful in bodybuilding and physique.”

And if he has his choice, Norius said he would prefer to obtain his professional card in the classic physique because there are so many guys competing in the men’s physique and the bodybuilding has been saturated with so many of the bigger bodybuilders taking over.

“With classic physique, I’m right in between classic physique and men’s physique,” he pointed out. “I know they love me in bodybuilding and men’s physique, but I hope they can admire me in classic physique when I try my hand in West Palm Beach next month.”

By competing in the two events this year, Norius said he probably will skip the Bahamas Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation’s National Championships in July and just prepare for the CAC Championships.

“The championships in West Palm Beach should qualify me for the CAC, so if I do it, I will try to help some of the other bodybuilders as they prepare for the Nationals,” Norius said. “But if I don’t do the championships next month, then I will compete in the Nationals.”

Norius, who has dominated the nationals for the past few years, will be taking a day off to recuperate in Florida with his family and friends. He intends to return home on Tuesday to begin preparing for his next competition.