By Neto Baptiste
Reigning bikini champion and IFBB Elite Pro, Ambassador Kimberly Percival, headlines a strong seven-member Antigua and Barbuda team to this weekend’s Arnold Classic IFBB Elite Pro World Championships slated for Seville, Spain.
Percival, who won the bikini segment of the Arnold Classic in 2021, is joined by reigning bikini bronze medallist Michelle Seaforth, classic physique competitor, Bernard Percival, who finished 10th last year and bikini athlete, Melissa Seaforth, who finished just outside the top 10 in 2021.
Percival believes she is going into Saturday’s show in better condition than 2021 but admits it has been a nerve-racking week.
“The butterflies have taken up residency in my stomach if I’m being 100 percent honest. I think there is an expectation back home and then of course, everybody is thinking that once you’re in first place the target is on your back,” she said.
“I am definitely tighter that I was last year, and that was a goal for me. I also was looking to bring a little bit more shape and curvature to my body. Last year was one of my leanest looks but it was, for lack of a better term, leaning and more on the [stringy] side, but it was necessary for me to cross the stage with the conditioning I knew I needed to have,” she added.
The other members of the team are Leanna Carrington (bikini), Kenroy Christian (men’s physique) and Romancia Jules (bikini).
Michelle said that, though hampered somewhat by everyday challenges, she is confident with her condition going into the event.
“I had a shorter season where I started later in the year due to just trying to balance work and training, but I must say that with the time that I have had to prepare, I am really content. I believe I’ve improved on my last package from last year’s world championships, so I am really excited about the weekend,” she said.
“Of course you’d want to go back and at least, capture your same placement or better it. I could say that I don’t feel the pressure because I know I’ve done all that I can, I’ve put my all into it in terms of the diet, the exercise by trying different methods, and you just feel a sense of satisfaction so I don’t feel as much pressure. I feel more excitement going into the show,” she added.
Melissa, who is hoping to improve on her previous finish, has seen improvement in various areas.
“Well, I am definitely coming with more muscle development, especially in my legs and I’ve always had good conditioned legs, but they needed a little more belly to them, so I’ve improved on that. I’ve worked on my glutes and my back, so I am definitely coming into this show a bit more conditioned and muscular if that makes sense,” she said.
Team Antigua and Barbuda left for Seville, Spain on Wednesday.