The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

WITHOUT an actual show to fall back on because of the restrictions imposed by Covid-19, the Bahamas Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation staged a screening for competitors wishing to make the Central American and Caribbean Bodybuilding Championship team.

After the process on Saturday at J-Line Fitness, the federation selected a seven-member team, consisting of two female and five male to travel to San Salvador, El Salvador next month. They are novice Ashley Sturrup, Fania Joseph, Kaif Young, Gemo Smith, Wellington Wallace, novice Terrion Kemp and Jason Johnson.

According to federation president Joel Stubbs, who headed the judging panel at the selection process along with his executives and national coach Raymond Tucker, there are two other persons pending before the team head off to the championships, scheduled for August 12-16th.

Stubbs said they are grateful for the athletes that showed up on Saturday with the intent to follow their fitness dreams and to be a part of the trials for Team Bahamas.

“These athletes came prepared as if they were at the Nationals championship, ready to take the stage by storm, showing great shapes, with muscle fullness, detail and condition along with beautiful posing attire and poses,” he said.

With the financial support from the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, Stubbs said they will be able to showcase the new talent available and the great physique improvements from the various athletes that had the opportunities to showcase last year but did not finish well.

“Hopefully, this year will bring greater success for them in capturing the gold in their respective categories,” he said. “We will continue over the next few weeks leading into the championship, to share our knowledge, our experience and lend our assistance as veterans to ensure that these athletes plateau and reach their highest potential.”

Although they won’t have any novice or national championships this year in New Providence or Grand Bahama, Stubbs encouraged the public at large and those who are physically fit to prepare themselves to come and showcase their talent on the local stage and hopefully escalate to the international stage in representation for the Bahamas.

“Thank you all for the support given to this federation and especially to these athletes who have sacrificed month after month in the trenches preparing for greatness,” he stressed. “Let us all continue to be encouraged.”