Guam FitExpo set to "Elevate" island wellness with two-day fitness and health showcase

BY PAULY SUBA
Journal Staff

Guam FitExpo is back for its second year with a full slate of live sporting competitions, fitness challenges, wellness seminars, and community engagement. The two-day event will run this weekend, Saturday, July 26, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, July 27, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at LeoPalace Resort Guam.

A press conference was held July 25, at Docomo Pacific's Tamuning headquarters where Domer Gabriel, Guam FitExpo president and WNBF vice president, said, “We're finally here. It's our second year in a row and we have another typhoon-ish coming. So, hopefully it won’t develop and won’t affect us too much. Luckily, it’s indoors," he said. "We are happy to be at LeoPalace this year. So, it’s a lot more convenient, especially for the athletes. Athletes can stay in the hotel and eat at the venue at the same time and not worry about transportation or anything."

The FitExpo’s theme, “Elevate,” is reflected in the wide range of offerings from elite competitions to family-friendly activities. Events include the World Natural Bodybuilding Federation (WNBF) Guam Classic Muscle Showdown, the GUROX Fitness Challenge, and a Sunrise 2K/5K Walk/Run. Attendees can also expect over 30 local vendor booths, fitness classes, and health seminars.

Jeffrey Saavedra, WNBF Guam president, emphasized the international caliber of this year’s bodybuilding show. “This year, we’re very excited to host our second show. We have about 15 athletes competing." He said judges have flown in from Taiwan, Dubai, and the Philippines.

Schack von Rumohr, general manager of LeoPalace Resort Guam, said the venue is proud to host the event. “My team and myself are very honored to host this event... sports brings people together. We’re here for the community to make this an exceptional experience.”

Rumohr also highlighted the resort’s amenities for guests and vendors. “We have beautiful rooms. We have special rates going on right now. We have bowling. We just opened a new restaurant, Tangan Tangan Grill… We have scooters and bicycles that you can rent. You can go around the property and run. We have Sigua waterfalls. You can hike there, too… And of course, the LeoPalace hospitality service.”

To explain more about the GUROX fitness challenge, Anmol Sobti, athlete and lead GUROX organizer, described the event as Guam’s version of the global HYROX challenge. “We’re trying to establish the GUROX here in Guam," he said.  "Which is very similar to HYROX. I want to compete as much as I can. So, it's great to be here and expose the athletes to something fun. As well as keeping healthy at the same time.”

Sobti explained that HYROX is a fitness competition that combines running and functional workout stations, repeated eight times, with runs between each station. "So, we’re doing that, but we’re just kind of making it fun because that can be a little bit extreme, especially if you’re new to it," he said. "So, we want this as an introductory level… Then we can eventually bring the actual game to Guam.”

Sobti confirmed 36 athletes are expected to compete in GUROX, representing 18 teams. When asked about possible weather challenges, he said, “Yeah, most of its outside… we’re going to kind of play it by ear… everything else… should be fine because it’s all stationary, like deadlifts, squats, or even burpees… We might have to substitute the run with something else in case, but as of now, I think we’re just going to do it that way.”

Chris Byrne, president of WNBF Philippines and first-time Guam visitor said, “(Guam) is a beautiful place. I’m honored to be here. I’m honored to be one of the WNBF judges."

Byrne emphasized WNBF’s commitment to drug-free competition. “I expect all the athletes to be conditioned and ready to put up a good fight for the pro card… You don’t need drugs to have an amazing body… all of our athletes, before they step on stage, they have to take a polygraph exam.” Byrne said the reason for the polygraph test is because blood tests and urine tests can only go so far in terms of finding substances in the body. He said, "With the polygraph, you can determine whether you're lying about taking a bad substance." Byrne said, "I invite (everyone) to see the wonders of natural bodybuilding."

Richelle Cailao, 2024 WNBF Guam bikini champion, shared her experience as a competitor and mother. “I’m happy to be here again., this time as a spectator... I want to inspire all the moms." She shared that it takes a lot of discipline to prepare for competition. "Basically, I follow the program of the coach. As a mom, it’s very difficult to prepare for this kind of sport… just picture yourself, where you want to be. When you follow your program, you’re a winner already because you already reached your fitness goal.” Cailao said, "As a mother its very hard to divide our time. I have my business, three children. It's like being a superhero!"

Gabriel said the FitExpo was designed for broad participation. “Initially, we wanted to start this FitExpo… to cater for everyone, right? So whether you’re into Zumba, CrossFit, or a HYROX athlete, we want it to be open for everyone… regardless of what level of athleticism you are.”

Saavedra emphasized the opportunity Guam-based athletes now have. “As for WNBF, like Richelle, when she won, she turned pro. It opened the door for her to compete at the highest level. We’re an amateur competition right now… once you win your category, you’re able to compete in that pro level.”

Gabriel said, “One of the reasons why we started this is to bring the competition to Guam so competitors like us don't have to fly off island and spend (so) much money to compete. So, that’s one of the reasons why we brought in WNBF. We also have powerlifting. Hopefully, soon, we’ll bring in HYROX.”

Tickets and registration for GUROX and the full FitExpo are available at www.guamtime.net. Registration for the 2K/5K walk-run is available on myraceresult.com. Organizers confirmed the run will proceed rain or shine. mbj