FAR AHEAD of the December 17 MuscleMania Championship, bodybuilder Arnold Aryee, is already dreaming of a trip to New York, beating his chest that the contest is cut and dry for his taking. ?I am going to win it and I mean it,? he told The Chronicle. ?I am in the best of shapes and I am going to get even better before the date arrives.?

Popularly called Cucujoeba in the bodybuilding fraternity, Arnold is one of key performers expected to hold high the nation?s flag at the championship.

The heavily muscled Arnold, with a protruding chest plus a well segmented arms and midsection to boot might justifiably enter the competition with high hopes.

In an interview with The Chronicle in Accra last Friday, he said although all others would equally aim at the title, there was no way anybody would beat him to it.

?I believe I am going to win, no two ways about that,? he said.

Arnold said although he knew nothing about the physique and make of contestants coming from other West African nations, he was convinced that his training schedule has been structured in a manner that will give him the best built ahead of the competition.

Currently training at the Dun?s Fitness Centre, he said his chances had been boosted by an investment of about $5000 into his training, diet and other nutritional needs, including bodybuilding drugs, by his white-lady friend.

?I have the medication and professional advice for bodybuilding and that is the advantage I hold over all others,? he said.

Although Arnold is not new to such competitions, it has taken him time to come close to the dream he has held since 1993.

After an uneventful debut on the scene that year, he placed fourth in 1994 and 1997.

He managed however to improve on his performance to emerge the runner-up in last year?s event.

The competition, to be organized by Koflex Sports, will also showcase a modeling contest.

Kingdom Herbal, Ultimate Phones, Slok Air International, Maximum Gym Centre, North American Airlines, MTV and Black Entertainment Television, both based in the United Kingdom, are sponsoring the event.