The Tribune

Five trailblazing women in the sport of bodybuilding and fitness in the Bahamas were honoured in grand style when the New Providence Bodybuilding and Fitness Association (NPBFA) held its annual competition over the weekend.

The event, held in the Rainforest Theatre of the Wyndham Nassau Resort, brought together professionals, amateurs, athletes, fitness trainers, members, families and friends who turned out to support those competing for top prizes and those being honoured.

But the artistic trophies and the floral arrangements they received were just a token of appreciation for female athletes who deserve so much more, according to association president Stephen Robinson.

While he was happy that the event was a success, he is troubled by the fact that the number of competitors is dwindling, especially in the female categories.

This issue affects the international community as well; the International Federation of Body Building is considering phasing out certain parts of female competitions.

But in the Bahamas, Robinson says, there has been too many successes for the female sport to die.

The NPBFA is calling on the government and private corporations to come together in support of females in the sport of bodybuilding and fitness, as this area of the sport in the Bahamas is dying.

President Stephen Robinson is alarmed at the quick rate that females are being phased out of the sport in the Bahamas and the Caribbean, despite the fact that many females have put the Bahamas on the map through the sport.

The women who were honoured on Saturday night are the trailblazers in the sport who are calling for other young females to consider competing.

The honourees were Della Thomas, pioneer in the sport of female bodybuilding in the Bahamas and the Caribbean, Maxine Darville, a trailblazer in the sport, Michelle Miller, who is known for having the perfect physique for lightweight and paired well with males, resulting in many wins for the Bahamas, Gina Mackey, the first Bahamian professional body builder, and Natasha Brown, who, after competing in her second CAC championships, received her pro card, which was monumental for females in the Bahamas.

Mr Robinson said if funding was available, certain athletes would immediately start training with great potential for winning awards for the country.

He said athletes have to spend thousands of dollars and neglect their personal responsibilities in order to commit to the sport.

Robinson suggested that an athlete like Natasha Brown should be placed on such a funding schedule.

Only Gina Mackey and Joel Stubbs are on such a plan and can concentrate on their careers in the sport.

Miss Brown came into the sport as a professional track and field athlete, having won medals for the country in the high and long jump. She was encouraged to get into bodybuilding as a way to enhance her skills as a jumper, and found that it worked well for her.

Therefore, she encourages professional athletes in other sports to do the same.

"They already have the commitment, dedication, consistency and mental toughness as well as the exposure needed to excel," she said.

"Bodybuilding adds the physique, grace, poise, finesse, stage presence and for some, a glamorous look. The transition will be easier for a professional athlete because they won't have any problems in terms of preparation whether deciding to do bikini, figure or fitness which most women will choose. They will also benefit from preparing for choreographing, which encompasses six mandatory notes in a two minute period."

This weekend's winner's included David Fenton, who won in the novice lightweight category.

Desario Smith won in overall men's physique in the novice category and Sebastian Rolle won the overall novice competition.

The female novice winner was Alexdia Henfield and Jimmy Norius won in the men's lightweight open division.

Jean Marshall carried the title for the men's open middleweight and was also the overall winner in the category while taking special awards for mostly muscular and overall men's physique. Dawn Charlton won the open bikini division.