It was a fierce and closely contested showdown at the Ward Theatre as competitors vied for the titles of Mr and Miss Jamaica 1952. With 14 men and six women giving their best on stage, judges had a hard time selecting winners from such a talented field. In the end, Gerald Roach and Lorraine King emerged victorious, but only after intense judging and multiple rounds of poses — proving just how high the standard was at this year’s event.

Published Monday, March 24, 1952

Island Body Beautiful championships

Piano tuner and Alpha student gain crowns

PLEASANT-MANNERED 22-year-old piano tuner Gerald Roach won the 'Mr Jamaica' crown for 1952 from a field of 14 contestants at the Ward Theatre on Friday night last. On the same programme, graceful 16-year-old Alpha Academy student Lorraine King was crowned 'Miss Jamaica 1952' from a field of six finalists.
Vin Brown, winner of the 1950 Mr Surrey' crown, was second and winner of the 'Most Muscular' award, while former 'Mr Jamaica' Lloyd Young took third place and the Best Legs subsection.
Hundreds of sports fans saw the most accomplished group of finalists parade before a five-strong panel of judges, for the highest award Jamaica can offer to men of physical excellence.
So keen was the competition that judges John Goldsmith, former Olympic weightlifter; Aubrey Saunders, Olympic lifting representative; Mrs Edna Manley, eminent sculptress; and Mrs Paula Espeut, former 'Miss Venus' and 'Miss Britain', had to request additional poses before making final decisions.
As the contest went on, it became obvious that Roach, who figured in the last three for nearly all the subsections, would be favourite for the big title.
Second-place winner Vin Brown, winner of the 1950 'Mr Surrey' championship, lacked rhythm in his posing.
Lloyd Young, winner of the '1948 Mr Jamaica' crown, was handicapped by his lack of definition in a field so profuse with well-cut lines.
It happened that Young, who was a candidate only in the Best Legs subsection, which he won, did not appear before the judges very often, and surely, when the last four were named, they should have been asked to pose, as is done in all the big contests the world over.
But perhaps the most amazing development was seen in the Best Arms section, where the Montegonian Ensford Dixon showed phenomenal power.
Among the girls, Lorraine King showed a grace and poise which steered her to the title above the other contestants, some of whom introduced too great an air of artificiality into their posing, while others were, frankly, not up to the exact requirements of aspirants for the title 'Miss Jamaica'.
SECTIONAL WINNERS
Best Chest – Gerald Roach
Best Arms – Ensford Dixon
Best Legs – Lloyd Young
Best Back – Vin Brown
Best Abdominals – Ken White
Most Muscular – Vin Brown

 
SECTIONAL WINNERS
Best Chest – Gerald Roach
Best Arms — Ensford Dixon
Best Legs — Lloyd Young
Best Back — Vin Brown
Best Abdominals — Ken White
Most Muscular — Vin Brown

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