Fleming bags 6 awards at Dee Clayton Classic

Second-time contestant Shawn Fleming won six awards in last Saturday’s 2024 Dee Clayton Classic at the Saipan World Resort.

The 32-year-old topped best abs on three categories—classic, open bodybuilding, and men’s physique—and then won second place in the short classic physique division and men’s physique short division. Fleming did win first place in the bodybuilding bantamweight division to round out his bevy of trophies.

This was the second time that he joined the competition. His first was in 2022 when he took second place in the men’s physique short division.

“It’s really good, because I didn’t expect to do this well, especially in the open bodybuilding. To have gotten first place overall. That was really surprising and I didn’t expect it,” said Fleming.

Despite Lorenzo Sanchez’s second place finish in the bodybuilding bantamweight division, he received the overall award in the classic physique short division and received the special poser award.

Florencio Padonia, a 47-year-old waitstaff at Kensington Hotel and first-time contestant, won the overall title in the men’s physique division and first place in the men’s physique short division.

There were no contestants for the women’s bodybuilding, figure, and bikini in this year’s Dee Clayton bodybuilding and fitness competition.

“Yeah, there’s no female contestants. A lot of women that are like single moms they’re hardworking moms. They go off-island during the summer to do their work, seminars, and some are also preparing for the next competition, which is going to be off-island in Guam. So a lot of them don’t want to do this because they’re looking forward to represent the CNMI,” explained organizer Dee Clayton, who the competition is named after.

According to Derek Cutting, Latte Built Gym owner and event sponsor, “It’s a smaller show this year. It’s not as big as some of the years. There was no female bodybuilders or bikini this year, but some of the guys they came in they came really well and they planned for in advance, regardless of how many are here,” he said.

Winners of the fitness pageant category were Lei Ana Lizama, first place for the teen short division; and Julong Indalencio, first place in the teen tall division. Jhoy Revilla, a 35-year-old, won first place in the fitness pageant category, masters division. Revilla said she was invited by her Zumba coach to join and while hesitant at first, she eventually said yes, so she can improve her self-confidence.

“The very moment I was named first place, I felt like all my hard work and preparations for the competition paid off,” she said.

Zowie Cruz, 2023 Miss Earth Northern Marianas, was one of the award presenters and she shared with Saipan Tribune the time when she used to be a contestant in the Dee Clayton Classic, “from that fitness physique pageant in bodybuilding, which is years ago, it’s pretty much what inspired me to do a real pageant. That’s what got me to join Miss Earth.

Winners for the different categories and divisions are as follows:

• Classic Physique: Short Division, Lorenzo Sanchez and Shawn Fleming. Tall Division, Florencio Padonia (first place), Ferdinand Jun Lagmay (second place), John Jimaro (third Place), and Daniel Matsunaga (fourth place)

• Men’s Physique: Short Division, Florencio Padonia (first place), Shawn Fleming (second place), Randel Nicomendus (third place), Athan Taisigue (fourth place), and E.J, Torres (fifth place). Tall Division, Brian Lee (first place) and Daniel Matsunaga (second place). Masters Division, Ferdinand Jun Lagmay (first place) and John Jimeno (second place).

• Men’s Bantamweight Bodybuilding: Shawn Fleming (first place) and Lorenzo Salazar (second place).

• Fitness Pageant: Teen Short, Lei Ana Lizama (first place), Kimani Santos (second place), and Olyvia Atalig (third place). Teen Tall, Julong Indelencio (first place). Masters Division, Jhoy Revilla (first place), Ma. Cristina Villas (second place) and Regina Crisostomo (third place)

The panel of judges for the 2024 Dee Clayton Classic were Jonas Barcinas (chief judge), Aaron Tamokane, Jeff Saavedra, and Joel Tudela. The event was opened by a short dance number from Stanley Iakopo and Xtreme Fitness 670. James Taitano severed as the event’s emcee.

The 2024 Dee Clayton Classic sponsors are the following: Coca-Cola (Foremost), Megabyte Computer of Saipan, Tan Sui Lin Foundation, Gold’s Gym, Latte Built Gym, Saipan World Resort, Power 99, Island Floral by Philip, Ana Glusko Performing Arts, Rosel Printing, Xtreme Fitness 670, Saipan Mayor’s Office, Department of Youth Services, Saipan and Northern Islands Municipal Council, Saipan Studio, Topnotch, and Health City of Guam.