The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior SPORTS REPORTER

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

ALTHOUGH he didn’t place in the top five, Jason Johnson said he was pleased with his “test run” in his show as a professional bodybuilder on Sunday at the Amateur Bodybuilding & Fitness Championships Elite Pro Qualifier in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

Johnson, the only Bahamian to participate in the event, took part in his first pro show just eight weeks after receiving his card, thanks to the assistance from Bahamas Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation president Joel Stubbs.

Competing against bodybuilders with more than 10 years of experience, Johnson, who only started competing about two years ago, said he was thrilled by his pro debut after he earned both his International (IFBB) and World Beauty and Fitness Fashion (WBFF) pro cards in 2021.

“It was an excellent opportunity for me to see where I’m at as a pro bodybuilder and what I need to work on,” Johnson said. “By me entering the event, it was good to be competing against the seasoned pros.

“The competition was intense. A lot of the guys who competed had years of experience over me, even though I wasn’t fully recovered from the previous two shows that I did at the CAC (Central American and Caribbean Bodybuilding Championships) and the Miami Pre and the other shows that I did.”

In a field of 12 competitors, Johnson said he decided to just push through the competition, keep a tunnel vision and close out the year on a high note as he enjoys the journey, which was foremost than what his final position turned out to be.

“Now that I’m done for the year, I will take some time off to build up some size because I think I performed very well this year, but if I really want to be competitive in this sport, I have to increase my size,” he said.

“I need to focus on what I need to do to be able to compete at a high level as a pro builder.”

During the offseason, Johnson said he will be working out with his partner, female pro bodybuilder Lorraine LaFleur, whom he operates the Gaines for Life Gym on Soldier Road with.

“I just started the sport and I’ve done pretty good with the size I have now,” said Johnson, who competes around 190-200 pounds. “But where I’m heading now, I need to put on more size and do more heavier lifting to develop my symmetry. My conditioning is alright, but I know I need to get bigger in order to be a contender in the pro ranks.”

Before he gets back into the gym and begins his vigorous training routine, Johnson said he will take some time off to enjoy life, spending some time with LaFleur and his family.

And although the indulgence has already started, Johnson said he was delighted to partake in a pepperoni pizza right after the show. He said he also intends to engage in some delicious burgers and fries with a Coke zero to provide some grease and extra calories for his system.

With no plans to compete until late next year, when he hopes to “give those guys a run for their money,” Johnson said he’s also looking at the possibility of being on the same stage competing in a show with LaFleur.

“We are looking at the schedule and see how we fit it in,” said Johnson, who is expected to compete in his first show around August for September, 2021. “We are both in the same organisation, so we will most definitely do something together for sure. We want to put on a show for the Bahamas as a couple,” he said.

While he publicly thanked Stubbs for all of the assistance he provided, Johnson made an appeal for the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture to provide some financial support for the bodybuilders, who endure a hefty price to train and compete on stage.