The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

WITH 14 active pro bodybuilders on their list, Bahamas Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation president Joel Stubbs said he anticipates that the numbers could increase at the Central American and Caribbean Championships October 11-14.

The federation will be sending a 12-member team, inclusive of national champion Charles Reckley, the lone Bahamian to compete in the bodybuilding segment of the championships, which have been moved to Santo Domingo, the Dominican Republic, from Puerto Rico.

Shakira Ferguson, Tanza Thompson, Fania Joseph, Dominique Hanna and Dawn Charlton will all participate in the various women’s bikini competitions, while David Dormavil, Demetrius Clarke, Kaif Young, Jason Johnson, Wellington Wallace and Bertram Miller are entered in the men’s physique categories.

Stubbs will accompany the delegation that will be led by team manager Nardo Dean, national coach Raymond Tucker, secretary/protocol Tim Rolle and two judges to be announced.

“We have a great team with the selection that we have made,” said Stubbs of the process that came at the conclusion of the recent Novice and the Bahamas National Championships.

“Unfortunately, it’s not a full team, but nonetheless, we feel we have selected a very strong team with the majority of competitors coming from the men’s physique and the women’s bikini.”

Stubbs, a former CAC champion and professional bodybuilder, said he’s very hopeful that this team will represent the Bahamas very well and they will improve the fourth-place finish from last year’s championships.

With some of the countries facing difficulties in acquiring their visas, the championships were moved from Puerto Rico to the Dominican Republic, which stepped in at the 11th hour to accommodate the athletes, who will once again be vying for their pro cards as overall champions in their various categories.

“One of the biggest challenges is that a lot of the big-name competitors have obtained their pro cards, so there’s not that much talent to come on the stage this year,” Stubbs said.

“But I’m optimistic that with the team we are taking and with their body structures and the conditions that are in, that we will have a very good showing in the Dominican Republic.”

Not only is he looking for some hardware with athletes achieving their gold, silver or bronze medals, Stubbs said he could see one or two or possibly three Bahamian athletes securing their pro cards.

Teran Knowles and Rashield were the latest Bahamians to earn their pro cards, bringing the list to 14 active pro bodybuilders.

“We have some athletes who will be knocking on the door when they compete in the championships,” Stubbs said. “The athletes have to be very mindful and strategic in picking the show that will allow them to get their pro status. “You don’t want to go to a show where there are so many athletes lined up and you are overlooked. We want them to go to shows where they can line up and be judged properly to get their pro cards. The CAC Championships is a good event to get it.”