Padonia bags bronze in Guam bodybuilding comp

Fairly new CNMI resident Florencio Padonia flexed and bagged bronze in the open physique category of the Inaugural World Natural Bodybuilding Federation Guam’s first Fitness Expo and premier bodybuilding show last Saturday at the University of Guam Field House.

Padonia, who was the overall champ of the men’s physique division and first place in the men’s physique short division of the 2024 Dee Clayton Classic & Northern Marianas Bodybuilding and Physique Federation competition on Saipan last June, wowed the judges in Guam too, as he placed third out of seven other bodybuilders.

The 27-year-old also placed fifth out of seven in the men’s physique medium class.

Padonia is no stranger to bodybuilding competitions as he has also competed in the Philippines in the past two years and started his bodybuilding journey in 2021.

He said of the competition in Guam, “The competition was pretty good.” On his third-place win, “I feel great because I got the bronze, and I gave my best [body] condition.”

He is now aiming for his bodybuilding pro card and will continue to improve his physique for the next competition.

According to an internet definition, having a pro card means that a bodybuilder has done one or more amateur bodybuilding competitions and has excelled to a high enough level. Depending on the federation, the overall champion will be offered a pro card. Some federations offer pro cards to winners of individual weight class champions. This can mean that more than one bodybuilder earns a pro card each contest depending on what contest it is.

The waitstaff then thanked Dee Clayton, Northern Marianas Bodybuilding and Physique Federation president, for providing his needs for the competition, DC Clayton Classic family, and Gold’s Gym Saipan for the support.

Clayton, on Padonia’s win said, “It was tough… but he [was] able to pull through and place. He did his best and I am happy with him.”

According to WNBF Guam’s website, the WNBF Guam is the first natural bodybuilding competition in Guam.

Further, it said, natural bodybuilding is bodybuilding without the use of performance and image enhancing drugs. Natural bodybuilding provides athletes the opportunity to take part in the sport they love on a level playing field without taking health risks. Athletes who take part in WNBF Guam events are subject to drug testing and polygraphing to ensure their natural status. The WNBF Guam believes in promoting a culture of camaraderie, passion, professionalism and fairness.

The WNBF Guam is affiliated with the World Natural Bodybuilding Federation. The WNBF is the most prestigious natural bodybuilding federation in the world with over 40 affiliates worldwide.