March 29, 2024

Three homegrown muscle builders brought pride and honor to the country in the National Athletic Committee Mr. and Ms. Universe bodybuilding competition in Hamburg, Germany. 

Reynold “Cocoi” Domalsin led the winning athletes by bagging silver medal in the open bodybuilding category of the international event held Nov. 30. 

Domalsin, son of the bodybuilding legend Nick Domalsin Sr., bested other athletes in the tough men’s body III following Ukrainian Igor Hlukhodid on first place.

The Igorot bodybuilder dedicated his win to his family – his wife and fellow bodybuilder Leigh and son Max Gabe – and his father, who is one of the central figures of bodybuilding not only in the Cordillera region but also in the country. Domalsin Sr. was a three-time Mr. Philippines title holder.

Domalsin has joined and won several competitions this year.

He placed third in the Mutant Philippines 2019 Bodybuilding, Muscle Contest Masters Champion in 80-kg.+ category, overall champion in Mister Classic Philippines, champion in Global Classic in Hong Kong, second place in Mister Sangyaw Open, overall champion in Mister La Trinidad Open, and second place in Mister Panagbenga.

Meanwhile, lady bodybuilders Mye Eugenio and Angelyn Gapas also placed as finalists in their respective categories.

Eugenio placed eighth in the Ms. Figure -30 plus category side-by-side strong contenders from Germany, Russia, Norway, Great Britain, and other countries.

“I was so hopeless, helpless and devastated because I do not know how to lose three kilograms in four hours’ time. I stayed in the sauna for four hours, super weak, thirsty and hungry,” Eugenio said.

But she said she was encouraged by Ms. Universe 2017 Cheryl Nakanishi not to give up, giving her the courage to lose extra pounds.

Eugenio recently championed the women’s figure and placed second in the women’s physique in the Show of Strength 2019 Body Building Competition.

Her teammate from Team Murphy Gapas is also part of the finalists in the Ms. Bikini Shape, sharing the stage with veteran bodybuilders around the world.

Gapas, who is a student of certified fitness trainer Eugenio, also proved her prowess despite being a neophyte in the bodybuilding scene. She also competed in the Show of Strength 2019 and placed second in the bikini short and third place in the bikini open category during the event backed by the International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness International. – Ofelia C. Empian