DC Classic: 15 years and a sweep

The iconic annual Dee Clayton Classic and Northern Marianas Bodybuilding Federation competition turned 15 and fittingly had 15 competitors on Saturday, Oct. 10, at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

In front of an electric crowd during a night full of dance performances, tanned skin, and flexed muscles, competitors across multiple categories shone brightly under the stage lights, with Shawn Fleming stealing the show with a sweep of the Bodybuilding, Men’s Physique, and Classic Physique.

The bodybuilding veteran has now competed in four DC Classic competitions, and one bodybuilding competition in Guam last year.

After the event, he said, “First off, I’m really relieved that it’s over, because I’m really hungry and thirsty. But overall, I had fun and I’m just so overwhelmed with the result and how everything turned out, and also that my routine went well.”

His preparation, he said, included working out six days a week, as it is his lifestyle. “I don’t even think of it as training, but when it came to cutting for bodybuilding, I was prepping from January to April originally when it was set for June, but because of the typhoon, I stopped and wanted to focus more on my friends and family. Once I found out that this got moved to October, then I started to prep again. This comp, I started since typhoon Bavi.”

For NMBF president and DC Classic founder Dee Clayton, celebrating 15 years of the competition is a big accomplishment. “It’s a big accomplishment. It’s great for me because the community and the people, they support this event. That's why it’s very successful.” She added, “This is a passion. And I like it because I love what I’m doing, and not only that I love what I’m doing, but I’m introducing it to our future generations, our kids, and everybody.”

With the turnout, she said, “I’m very satisfied. It’s a very well supported event. Our people, the community, our government and private sector really supported me and the event.”

Future plans include maybe bringing the competition to Rota and Tinian.

She then thanked everyone for their support of the event. “This means a lot to me. This is a tough time, but they’re still supporting and I’m still happy to be able to have this outcome… to all the people of Saipan, stay strong—we’ll make it.”

The other categories saw Hanoulee Sky Mafnas winning the short division of the Bikini category, with ReavenJei Cruz in second. Tanielu Leuta was second to Fleming in the Classic Physique; Christina Tudela was first in the Wellness category; Fabian Indalecio took the Masters division of the Men’s Physique; in the Fitness category, Kazzandra Drilon won the teen division, Jessica Mirefel won the short division, and Maralicia Castro was first in the tall division.

As for the Fitness Pageant category, Deltona Taka won the Teen division; ReavenJie Cruz was first in the Open division, with Julony Indalecio in second; Amy Alano was first in the Short division, with Catherine Packwood in second; and Ma. Cristina Villas claimed first in the Tall division, with Jennifer Ramos in second.