The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

DUE to the passing of Hurricanes Irma and Maria and the devastation left behind in the region, including host Mexico that was hit by two earthquakes, the Central American and Caribbean Bodybuilding Championships was cancelled over the weekend.

But Joel Stubbs, president of the Bahamas Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation, said they have already secured an event in Canada that some of the local bodybuilders will be able to participate in from an individual perspective rather than as a national team.

"We had a meeting with the heads of the federations of the CAC region and it was decided to cancel the CAC Championships," said Stubbs, of a decision that was made on Wednesday, just ahead of the scheduled championships that was to take place this weekend.

Stubbs, who was to accompany Team Bahamas as a part of the delegation, said it was obvious quite disappointing for a number of the athletes selected as a part of the 22-member team that was named to compete.

"A lot of them are upset because a lot of money was spent and time and energy put into preparing for the championships," he said. "It's not like basketball where you can just put on your gear and go on the court and compete.

"A lot go into the athletes preparing for the championships. They were hoping that they would have at least been postponed it until a later date, but Stubbs said the organizers have decided that in their best interest, they will have to cancel it this year."

Since the cancellation, Stubbs said they have been able to find an alternative championship for the bodybuilders to compete in, but they will have to fund the travel by themselves as it's not an official national team trip.

"Because it's not a national team, we won't be taking a full team," Stubbs said. "We have gotten commitment from 11 competitors, who have indicated that they will be attending the event. We are hoping that some others will go, but it's all up to them to get them."

The competitors will compete in the Ben Weider Legacy Cup, presented by Powehouse Gym on Saturday, October 21 at The Delta by Marriott in Toronto, Canada. The championships was originally for Candian and American competitors, but Stubbs said the federation applied for consideration after Mexico was granted permission to compete.

As a result, he said a number of other countries in the region applied and were also accepted.

Consented to travel are Paul Wilson, who will compete in the men's lightweight; Demetrius in the men's lightweight; Bernard Davis in the men's super heavyweight; Giovanni Farrington in the men's light heavyweight; Gemo Smith in the men's physique open D class; Shakira Ferguson in the women's bikini D class; Lakeisha Miller, in the women's physique Tall class; Tammy Stubbs in the women's body figure A class; Sheik Ellis in the men's physique E class and Sidney 'Butts' Outten in the men's heavyweight division.

If he decides to go, national champion Charles Reckley will be the 11th competitor as he look to compete in the men's bodybuilding welterweight division.

At the event, the overall winners will receive their professional cards.

"They all will be competing in their respective classes in a bid to compete for the overall title," Stubbs said. "The first place will get a chance to compete in the pose down for the pro cards."

The next CAC Championships has been scheduled for Aruba in 2018.