By Neto Baptiste
Bikini fitness athlete and sixth place finisher at the recent Arnold Classic IFBB Elite Pro World Championships, Melissa Seaforth, said breaking into the top 10 at last Saturday’s event was a massive achievement for her.
Speaking on the Good Morning Jojo Sports Show, Seaforth — who finished just outside the top 10 in 2021 — said her aim at this year’s show was to improve on her last showing.
“This year was obviously my breakthrough year after finally getting into the top 10 after three attempts since this is my third consecutive world championships and I am really pleased with my performance this time because this year was a more competitive show. All I wanted to do was improve from my placement last year, and not knowing where you fall outside the top 10 but just knowing you had to make those improvements. This time around I am pleased because I know I made an impact and one that was enough to place me, not only in the top 10, but just outside the top five,” she said.
Antigua and Barbuda’s top finisher at the prestigious event was Ambassador Kimberly Percival who finished second in the bikini fitness category following a close contest with this year’s winner, Anastasiia Zolotoya of Russia.
Percival believes she was edged due to “small details” in her presentation.
“Personally, I think there were small details in presentation that may have caused it to sway in a different direction. It is more important for me to take personal responsibility for the things that could have made a different outcome versus lamenting and sulking, because I have other events that I am planning for and that is only going to negatively affect my mental state going into those events. So, I am choosing to focus on fixing whatever I think needs to be fixed,” she said.
Also competing in the bikini fitness category, Leanna Carrington was 11th overall while Michelle Seaforth and Geanna Jules did not make the finals.
Men’s physique competitor, Kenroy Christian, and classic physique athlete, Bernard Percival, also did not make the final of their respective categories.