Antigua and Barbuda celebrated a remarkable double success in international bodybuilding at the weekend, as Melissa Seaforth secured gold in the Czech Republic, while Kimberly Percival claimed silver in London.

Seaforth, an IFBB Elite Pro, dominated the Bikini Fitness category at the IFBB Pro Pepa in the Czech Republic.

Her gold medal performance adds to a recent string of impressive achievements, including top-five finishes at both the IFBB Pro Grand Gala in Italy last week and the Arnold Classic World Championships two weeks ago.

Meanwhile, in London, reigning Sportswoman of the Year Kimberly Percival also continued her outstanding run of form with a silver medal in the Bikini Fitness class at IFBB’s Night of Champions 2024.

Kimberly Percival was second in London.

Percival, who holds the current World Champion title, has been on an exceptional run, having secured victories at both the IFBB Pro Grand Gala and the Arnold Classic World Championships in recent weeks.

With the dual podium finishes by both athletes who have consistently performed at the highest level of the sport, the Ambassadors continue to establish themselves among the world’s elite competitors, bringing notoriety to Antigua and Barbuda.

Another top-five finish for the country was Tony ‘Tiger’ Jacobs, who finished fourth in the Men’s Physique class at the same event in London.

Jacobs was awarded his Pro Card at the Roger Boyce Classic in Barbados in June of last year.

Jamaica's bodybuilders made their mark at the 51st Central America and Caribbean (CAC) Bodybuilding Championships in Georgetown, Guyana, held from October 19-20, bringing home five medals in a competitive field that featured over 200 athletes from more than 20 countries. While the host nation dominated the event with 25 medals, Jamaica held their own with two gold and three silver medals.

 Leading the charge for Jamaica were Rayon Henry and Sean Taylor, who both captured gold in their respective categories. Henry, fresh off winning a national title, triumphed in the Medium Class (176 cm), showcasing his refined physique and superior form. Taylor, competing in the Short Class (170 cm), delivered a standout performance after a challenging year, rebounding from earlier fourth-place finishes in the Muscular Men’s Physique and Men’s Physique Short Class to claim the top spot.

 Nicolas Wilson also impressed on his international debut, taking home a silver medal in the highly competitive Bodybuilding Middleweight category (80 kg). Wilson's disciplined preparation paid off, as he made a strong impression against seasoned competitors, proving that he's a rising talent in the sport.

 On the women’s side, Jamaica’s national champion Dianne Brown captured a silver medal in the Bikini Fitness Tall Class (169 cm). A former pageant expert, Brown dazzled both the audience and the judges with her flawless physique and commanding stage presence, solidifying her place among the top contenders in the region. Shana Davis Roman added another silver to Jamaica's medal tally in the Fitness Challenge, displaying exceptional athleticism and versatility in the demanding category.

 Natasha Gordon also delivered commendable performances, placing fourth in both the Bikini Fitness Open and Masters divisions, contributing to the overall success of Jamaica’s six-member team, which was led by former JABBFA and CAC President, Lt. Col. Bruce Bartley.

 Despite competing against a large field of athletes, Jamaica’s bodybuilders proved they could hold their own on the international stage, bringing home valuable hardware from the prestigious event.

Guyana put on a dominant display at the CAC Bodybuilding Championships over the weekend, securing 333 points to top the overall standings. The host nation fielded 25 athletes and took home 25 medals, including seven golds, edging out Barbados, who finished second with 327 points. El Salvador placed third with 165 points.

The highlight of the event for the host nation was Emmerson Campbell, the National Men’s Physique Champion, who earned a prestigious Pro Card after winning gold in the Men’s Physique up to 173cm category. Despite finishing second in the overall pose-off, Campbell’s physique was deemed superior, securing him the professional status he had been striving for over the years.

 Remalton Siland also delivered an impressive performance, winning gold in the Men’s Physique Masters Open and earning two bronze medals in fitness and the seniors up to 170 cm category. Julio Sinclair added to Guyana’s success with a gold in the Men’s Bodybuilding over 90 kg.

 Delrae Mclean claimed bronze in the Men’s Bodybuilding Masters 40-49 years class and silver in the seniors up to 75 kg. Overseas-based athlete Rawle Greene took silver and bronze in the men’s bodybuilding seniors up to 85 kg and the masters class.

 Guyana’s medal haul continued with Anthony Bayley, who won gold in the Men’s Junior Physique, and Christina Ramsammy, who secured two silver medals in the Bikini Masters over 35 and Women’s over 35 Bodybuilding categories. Angelica Barroncas earned silver in the Wellness Masters over 35.

 Additional medalists included Jamal Pollydore, Joel Caldeira, Orlanzo Valenzuela, Kadeem Bowen, and Christopher Anthony, rounding off a dominant performance by the host nation at the CAC Bodybuilding Championships.

 The St Lucia Amateur Bodybuilding and Body Fitness Association (SLABBFA) is set to make its mark at the 51st Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Bodybuilding Championships, which takes place this weekend in Georgetown, Guyana. An eight-member team will represent the island, aiming to build on past successes at the prestigious regional event.

With over 200 athletes from across the Caribbean and Central America set to compete, this year’s championships will be a landmark event for the host country, as Guyana welcomes the competition for the first time in 20 years. For St Lucia, the stakes are high, with the team hoping to add to the country’s growing collection of medals from recent years.

At the 2023 CAC Championships in Aruba, Jabari Brouet captured a silver medal in the senior men’s physique up to 179cm, while Kirby Charles placed fourth in the senior men’s physique over 179cm. This year, both athletes return to the competition, bringing experience and determination. Brouet, representing Storm Caster Fitness, and Charles, of Mango Moon, will be eager to upgrade their previous performances and bring home more medals for St Lucia.

The team, however, features a mix of seasoned competitors and fresh faces. Shani Victorin of Mango Moon will be Saint Lucia’s sole female competitor, taking part in the women’s bikini category. Victorin’s debut marks an important step for the island in maintaining representation in female divisions.

Joneil Pelage

On the men’s side, Joneil Pelage of Energy Fitness Gym has made a strong comeback to competition in 2024 and is expected to lead the charge in the men’s bodybuilding category. He will be joined by Sharkym Daniel of Southern Fitness, adding depth to the team’s efforts in this discipline.

In the Fitness Speed Fit Challenge, three athletes from Soufriere Fitness Centre—Levi Edward, former track athlete Gratious Octave, and cricketer Shanii Mesmain—will showcase their athletic versatility as they take on this demanding event.

Accompanying the athletes are Jacqueline Trim, SLABBFA president and official judge, Monica Dudley, first vice president and team manager, and Eugene Gabriel, second vice president and coach, ensuring the athletes have the support they need to excel on the big stage.

St Lucia’s national bodybuilding team is no stranger to success, and the island is hopeful that this year's crop of competitors will once again stand out in a highly competitive field. Following impressive results in 2022 and 2023, including top-five finishes from Kirton Hubert, Velda John, and Rochael Philip, the team is optimistic about continuing their medal streak at this year’s championships.

Rashida Bignall, a salsa dance instructor, made waves at the 2024 Jamaica Bodybuilding and Fitness National Championships in September, where she placed third in the Bikini Wellness category. Despite being relatively new to the sport, Bignall’s dedication and hard work over the last nine months have inspired her to take on bodybuilding full-time, marking a significant shift in her life and career.

Bignall, who debuted in bodybuilding at the Jamaica Bodybuilding and Fitness Association's Novice, Junior, and Elite Championships in June, has been on a remarkable journey of self-discovery and transformation. Reflecting on her initial experience in June, she admitted it was a learning curve. "The first one was a little more pressuring because I didn’t know what to expect, but this one I had an idea, so I was a little more comfortable and confident," she said. The improvement was evident as she displayed her progress on stage in September, crediting her first competition for helping her prepare mentally and physically for the nationals.

Physically, Bignall underwent a noticeable transformation between the two competitions, improving her physique by getting leaner and more muscular. "I lost some body fat, my tummy went down significantly, my legs came down," she said, explaining that feedback from the June competition highlighted the need for her to work on her leg definition. She took that advice to heart, though she admitted that balancing her busy schedule made it challenging to achieve all her goals in the time available.

"Time and the fact that I was always tired were the biggest challenges," Bignall shared. "I have a 9-5 job, I am an entrepreneur, and I teach dance, so I had to juggle all of that with my gym schedule. It was stressful, but I made it work."

Despite her busy life, Bignall has no plans to cut back on any of her commitments but is instead reorganizing her schedule to make more room for bodybuilding. "It’s not cutting back, it’s more about reorganizing to create more time to facilitate the sport," she explained. "Once I sat down and realized all the things I had to do, I knew I had to make time for the gym."

The mental aspect of preparing for competitions also became a major focus for Bignall. "Meal prep became a part of me," she said, explaining how she adjusted her diet and mindset leading up to the nationals. "You can break your body to do certain things, and you can will your mind to do certain things. I mentally prepared myself to cut out certain things from my diet, so it wasn’t as hard in terms of self-control this time around."

One of the toughest sacrifices for Bignall was eliminating her favourite comfort foods, particularly Tutti Frutti ice cream and Cadbury Fruit and Nut chocolate, which she allowed herself to enjoy once the competition was over. "That was the first thing I had Sunday when the competition was over," she admitted with a laugh.

Looking ahead, Bignall is determined to continue her journey in bodybuilding and plans to go all-in on the sport. "These last nine months have taught me so much about myself. It has got me back to a point where I am ready to take on the world, and I am now going to take on the sport 100 percent," she said. "I’ve listened to the feedback from the last two competitions, and I am determined to get first place next year."

 With her eyes set on future competitions, including some at the start of 2025, Bignall is back in the gym and ready to push her limits. "You can call me a dancer/bodybuilder from now on," she declared, fully embracing her new identity as she prepares for the next chapter of her bodybuilding journey.

For Bignall, the sport has become more than just a hobby—it's a new way of life, and she's determined to make her mark in the world of bodybuilding.

Nicolas Wilson and Dianne Brown took home the top awards at last Saturday’s Mayberry/JOA Jamaica Bodybuilding and Fitness Association (JABBFA) National Senior Bodybuilding Championships at the AC Hotel in Kingston, Jamaica.

Wilson took home the biggest prize of the day, taking home the trophy as the overall bodybuilding champion or Mr. Jamaica Bodybuilding.

Like he did last year, Wilson also won top spot in the Light Heavyweight bodybuilding category. The other bodybuilding category winners were Andrew Chisolm-Heavyweight, Wendell Martin-Middleweight and Steve Rodgers-Lightweight.

Chisolm also took top spot in the Bodybuilding Masters category.

Rayon Henry, winner of the medium class men’s physique category, beat out tall class winner Sheldon Harper and short class winner Malik Griffiths to take the overall men’s physique crown.

On the women’s side, tall class winner Dianne Brown was crowned Ms. Jamaica Bikini Fitness after beating out short class winner Donaith Anderson for the overall title.

Ashane Gordon-Morrison, just like she did in 2023, took the titles for Women’s Body Fitness and Women’s Physique.

Other winners on Saturday included Kymani Kirby-Classic Bodybuilding, Bryana Johnson-Bikini Wellness and Nicole Lewis-Bikini Fitness Masters.

“Unleash Your Power: Where Mental Strength Meets Physical Excellence,” is the theme of the third staging of the Mayberry, JOA Jamaica Bodybuilding and Fitness Association (JABBFA) National Bodybuilding Championships.

This year’s event is set for Saturday, September 28 at the AC Hotel in Kingston.

“We are excited at JABBFA to showcase Jamaica’s premier bodybuilding event where the country’s top athletes will compete for the prestigious titles of Mr. and Ms. Jamaica,” said Vice President of JABBFA, Kirk Frankson at the launch of the event held at the Jamaica Olympic Association on Tuesday morning.

“This competition marks a pivotal moment in our season of bodybuilding as we continue to celebrate not only physical excellence but also the discipline, commitment and mental strength that our sport cultivates. It is a platform where our athletes don’t just showcase their physical prowess, but also their mental resilience and dedication to drive them to become the best version of themselves,” he added.

Mayberry Investments Limited will serve as main sponsors for the championships for the third year in a row.

“Today marks a significant moment for bodybuilding and fitness Jamaica as we kick off another year of showcasing the incredible talent, dedication and discipline of our athletes,” said Stephanie Harrison, VP-Marketing at Mayberry Investments Limited.

“We are very happy and elated to have accommodated this third staging and we believe in the potential of our athletes and it’s a testament to the growing importance of fitness and wellness in Jamaica,” she added.

The competition will feature 56 athletes competing in a diverse range of categories: Men’s Physique, Bodybuilding, Bikini Fitness, Body Fitness and Women’s Physique.

The Men’s Physique category will be broken down into three smaller categories: Short, Tall and Muscular while the Bodybuilding category will be broken down into two: Open and Classic.

Bikini Fitness, similar to Men’s Physique, will see three sub-categories: Short, Tall and Wellness.

There are 23 competitors registered for the Men’s Physique category with Bodybuilding, Bikini Fitness, Body Fitness and Women’s Physique following with 15, 10, 4 and 4, respectively.

“Without the athletes, none of this would’ve been possible. With their hard work and dedication, going through the diet, it’s amazing,” said JABBFA President Audrey Allwood.

A large number of Gyms around the island will be represented on Saturday including the likes of Fit Farm Fitness, Island Body Fitness, Myers Fitness Center, Work That body Gym and recent additions to the fitness landscape like Shaddai Fitness Factory among many others.

“We could not have done this without the gym because, of course, the gyms make the bodies,” Allwood said.

Allwood also expressed gratitude to Mayberry for their contributions over the last three years, referring to that period as the association’s “best ever.”

As far as prizes go, for all competitive categories with more than three participants, the top three athletes will be awarded trophies and Mayberry tokens and sponsored gift baskets.

Category winners will also receive a cash prize of JA$20,000, while the overall champions will be rewarded with JA$50,000.

Other sponsors for this year’s edition include Caribbean Producers Jamaica, Lasco Financial Services, Lasco Distributors, Ayrtons Distributors, Gustazos Jamaica, VitaMalt, Nature Valley, Powerade, Vigorton 2 Iron and Vitamin Tonic, Cheffin’z with Jolly, Fitness Junkies, Express Fitness Jamaica and PUSH.

Jamaican fitness athlete Kristen McGregor is one step closer to her dream of qualifying for the prestigious Ms. Olympia Contest after securing a silver medal at the Wings of Strength competition in Atlanta, Georgia, on Saturday night. This impressive finish in the Open Figure Category comes just a week after her fifth-place result at the Mr. Big Evolution Olympia Qualifier in Lisbon, Portugal, on July 7.

McGregor’s journey towards Ms. Olympia qualification has been marked by determination and perseverance. Her performance in Atlanta demonstrated her exceptional form and dedication, moving her up three places from her recent showing in Lisbon and bringing her closer to the ultimate goal of competing in the Ms. Olympia Contest in Las Vegas, Nevada, on October 11.

Expressing her excitement and gratitude, McGregor, who won the Ms. Olympia Amateur contest in 2020, shared her joy with fans and supporters. "There is always an end, but there is never a limit. You can do anything you set your mind to with the right support, energy, and system in place. I took home the silver this weekend and I am truly grateful as I am one step closer to my target. Thank you to @themsolympia, @wingsofstrength, and @npc_ifbb_atlantaprosupershow for organizing a great show," McGregor said.

McGregor’s consistent performance and unwavering determination have made her a standout athlete in the fitness world. As she continues her preparations, her focus remains sharp on achieving her dream of competing at Ms. Olympia, the pinnacle of bodybuilding and fitness competitions.

 Standout fitness athlete Kristen McGregor faced unexpected challenges leading up to the Mr. Big Evolution Olympia Qualifier held in Lisbon, Portugal, on Sunday, July 7, 2024. Competing in the Open Figure Category, she aimed to defend her title from the previous year but ultimately secured a top-five finish out of 24 competitors.

This year’s preparation was a stark contrast to her usual routine. McGregor, who typically trained in Jamaica, found herself in the unfamiliar territory of the United Kingdom. “This competition prep was done in the UK, where this was my first time visiting,” McGregor said. “There was limited access to my resources. I believe now that this may have contributed to my performance or conditioning for the show, meaning my recovery was not the same where I would have gotten my continuous massages and muscle recovery sessions. This was not my usual climate, and my atmosphere was way much different. Nevertheless, I made the best out of my situation.”

Despite these obstacles, McGregor maintained her focus and determination. She entered the competition without specific expectations about her competitors, aiming instead to give her best performance. “The intensity was not much different from last year, to be honest. I had no expectations of who would be there, so I didn’t find nor did I see anyone as most dangerous to my objective. My objective was to retain my title.”

Finishing in the top five left McGregor with mixed emotions. “To be honest, it just means that I finished fifth in the competition. This placement wasn’t expected, but at the end of the day, I would always say the sport is very subjective. You do the best you can do in preparing for it, and yet you go without expectation. At the end, you are left without disappointment knowing that you have done your best and it’s the physique that is displayed.”

Despite not reclaiming her title, McGregor remains grateful for the opportunity to compete. “It doesn’t justify me putting in the work that I have done. However, I am always grateful for the experience to be on stage.”

Bryana Johnson and David Treasure were the big winners at the 2024 Jamaica Bodybuilding and Fitness Association (JABBFA) Novice, Junior and Elite Bodybuilding Championships held at the Courtleigh Auditorium in Kingston on June 29.

Johnson claimed the top prize in both the Junior Bikini Wellness and Novice Bikini Wellness categories while Treasure took top spot in both the Junior Men’s Physique and Novice Men’s Physique Tall sections.

Johnson, who beat out strong challenges from Rashida Bignall and Laycola Newman in Novice Bikini Wellness, put her success down hours upon hours of hard work and dedication in the gym.

“I felt like the work that I have put in, sleepless and tireless nights, paid off. My coaches have been phenomenal, both my posing coach Sherea Clarke and my coach Richardo Daniels. With these two by my side and the help of my gym family, they have been a massive source of support for me,” she told Sportsmax.tv after the competition.

“Winning here is honestly an indicator to keep going because I felt like there were points where I was a bit demotivated when I was on stage but I remember the few that showed up and I remember the work that I put in. This is just the beginning of my journey,” she added.

When questioned about the most difficult part of her preparation process for the championships, Johnson referenced dieting.

“The hardest part is the dieting. Training for me easy. I love working out. Dieting was the hardest part for me starting my fitness journey,” she said.

Treasure turned back the challenge of Marquis Wright in the Junior Men’s Physique category while, in Novice Men’s Physique Tall, he defeated last year’s champion Andre McDonald and Romel Gordon.

He was obviously thrilled with victory but described being on stage initially as “nerve-wracking” when he spoke to Sportsmax.tv at the end of the championships.

“It feels really good and the reason I feel that way is because of the uncertainty that led into the competition. Body dysmorphia is a thing. You start asking yourself questions like if you look good enough or what position am I going to be placed in?” he said.

“You can’t see yourself so you think everybody looks better than you. The original shake you get in your spine when you make that first step; going in front of judges and going in front of a crowd; what will I do that will make them choose me? That was nerve-wracking,” he added.

As time went on, Treasure said he felt more comfortable.

“Every step that I took, the energy, the atmosphere, the essence of the crowd, I just started to absorb it. I don’t know what happened when I went up there but I just transformed and it felt great,” he said.

He also added that competing gave him a new level of respect for every athlete that partakes in the sport of Bodybuilding.

“Since I competed, I respect every single athlete that performs here because it takes dedication and it takes drive to actually do this with the dieting,” he said.

In other results on Saturday, Hughgene Osbourne took top spot ahead of Marquis Wright and Daniel Grant in the Junior Bodybuilding category.

Laycola Newman won in the Novice Women’s Body Fitness Category ahead of Nicole Lewis and Saidah Delisser.

The Novice Bodybuilding category was won by Shaun Smith ahead of Steve Rogers and Hughgene Osbourne.

Shanika Campbell defeated Kesonya Gopie to take the Novice Women’s Physique crown.

Matthew Donville took top spot in the Novice Classic Bodybuilding category ahead of Shaun Smith and Steve Rogers.

The Novice Men’s Physique Short category was won by Malik Griffiths, who also took the overall Men’s Physique title, ahead of Abraham Evans and Matthew Donville.

The Novice Bikini Fitness Short title was taken by Jordan Barron ahead of Nicole Lewis and Saidah Delisser while the Tall category was won by Tara Francis ahead of Yanique Davis.

The Elite Bodybuilding title was won by Cecil Deacon ahead of Marcus White and Rupert Johnson.

Rashida Bignall, a corporate professional in Jamaica and a celebrated Latin dance instructor, is set to make her debut at the Jamaica Bodybuilding and Fitness Association's Novice, Junior, and Elite Championships on June 29 at the Courtleigh Auditorium in Kingston.

Her story is one of transformation, resilience, and the pursuit of excellence across different fields. Her debut at the Jamaica Bodybuilding and Fitness Association's championships is not just about competing but also about inspiring others to step out of their comfort zones and embrace new challenges.

Known for her captivating Salsa performances, Bignall has embraced a new challenge that promises to put on full display her versatility and dedication.

Bignall’s popular Instagram page "Rash Royalty" often features her executing intricate and erotic Salsa moves, but her upcoming participation in the bodybuilding competition marks a significant shift in her focus.

Competing in the Wellness category, Bignall is eager to display the results of her rigorous training.

Reflecting on her initial foray into Salsa dancing, Bignall said, "Many years ago, I saw it on television, didn't even know it existed in Jamaica and I found out it was being held at the Hilton Hotel. My aunt brought me to one class and from that, it was just history. I have always had a love for dancing and I always wanted to be different. Salsa is something different, especially in Jamaica because our core is dancehall and some are going over to Soca so coming into a world where it's different, you can bring that difference to people and educate them about something different is what it was for me."

Similarly, her journey into the world of bodybuilding and fitness began unexpectedly. "My trainer, Rohan Francis, he saw me and he said he wanted me to enter into a competition based on my frame. I told him I am willing to try something new because I have been dancing for so long, I wanted to come out of my comfort zone to try something new so I said yes," Bignall recounted.

Rashida Bignall posing for the audience at the recent launch of the 2024 JABBFA Novice, Junior and Elite Championships at the JOA Headquarters in Kingston.

The transition from dance to bodybuilding required intense training, but Bignall has embraced the process wholeheartedly. "The training has been intense but what I find is that the more intense it gets you get to find out how strong you are, and your mental strength and physical health is all incorporated in this because mentally you get to see how strong you are and physically, you get to see how strong you are, so the challenge is good and I am very excited for the day because I have been working really hard for this and it has been a really good experience."

Her background in dance has provided her with unique advantages, particularly in the posing aspects of bodybuilding competitions. "It helps because they (the judges) want you to be an individual, they want you to come and be yourself so adding a little dancing, for me is then showing that I am not neglecting who I am at my core but I am now incorporating it into something that I am getting to like."

As she prepares for her debut competition, Bignall is focused on the journey rather than the outcome. "The truth is everybody wants to win but with the training that I have been through and what I have accomplished, I feel like a winner already. The title is not it for me, it's just going out and doing my best and showing what I have been working on for the last six months."

The Jamaica Bodybuilding and Fitness Association (JABBFA) officially launched its Novice, Junior, and Elite Bodybuilding Championships on Thursday, marking the start of an extended 2024 season. The launch event took place at the headquarters of the Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA) on Cunningham Avenue in Kingston, setting the stage for an exciting year of bodybuilding and fitness competitions under the theme "Strong Minds, Strong Bodies: A Synergy of Physical Strength and Mental Wellness."

The 2024 Novice, Junior, and Elite Bodybuilding Championships will take place on Saturday, June 29th, 2024, at the Courtleigh Auditorium in Kingston. The event will commence at 7:00 pm, featuring 45 athletes from 12 gyms across eight parishes competing for top honours in their respective divisions.

Participants will vie for a range of prizes, including trophies, gift baskets, gift certificates, and gym memberships. The overall winners will qualify for the Elite Category and advance to the National Senior Championships later in the year, offering them a chance to further establish their prowess in the sport.

Kirk Frankson, President of JABBFA, highlighted the significance of the Novice, Junior, and Elite Championships as the season opener. "We've decided to extend our season; we're actually looking at having two new events. So in addition to our usual Novice, Junior and Elite Championships happening June 29 at the Courtleigh Auditorium, we're having on August 25, the Western Regional Championship at the Negril Tree House, September 28 is our regular National Senior Championships, and then on October 26, we're having our Jamaica Invitational. So that's our entire season," Frankson told Sportsmax.TV.

The Jamaica Invitational, in particular, is poised to become a major event on the bodybuilding calendar. JABBFA aims to make it a pro-qualifier, akin to prominent competitions in St. Maarten and Barbados. Frankson noted the challenges faced by Jamaican athletes in accessing pro-qualifier competitions in Europe and the USA, and emphasized the strategic shift to establish a local pro-qualifier.

"One of the difficulties that JABBFA struggles with like most sporting associations, is that the athletes had a challenge getting to pro-qualifier competitions in Europe, the USA, so we recognized that rather than trying to exert all of our energies by sending smaller teams, we're actually trying to re-direct our energies into having a pro-qualifier locally," he explained.

JABBFA has begun laying the groundwork for the Jamaica Invitational by training judges and setting up the necessary framework to host a pro-qualifier event. The long-term goal is to attract not only Caribbean athletes but also competitors from Europe and North America, thereby contributing to sports tourism in Jamaica.

Frankson mentioned the success of the Roger Boyce Championship in Barbados as a model they aim to replicate. "Barbados indicated that they started the Roger Boyce (championship) as an invitational and it's now the major pro-qualifier in the Caribbean, so we're replicating that where we are starting the Jamaica Invitational, as an invitational offering prize money and we are hoping that within the next three to five years it will be a pro-qualifier," he said.

 A pro-qualifier is a contest that serves as a gateway to the IFBB PRO League, allowing competitors in each of the nine divisions to compete for a coveted IFBB PRO League card. This development promises to elevate the standard of bodybuilding in Jamaica and provide local athletes with greater opportunities to achieve professional status within the sport.

The championship is made possible by the support of sponsors including the Sports Development Foundation, Hyundai, Wisynco, Vitamalt and Gustazos among others.

Wayne McCalla is Jamaica’s newest IFBB Pro after capturing the men’s short class physique title at the Roger Boyce Classic in Barbados on May 11.

McCalla, who was named Jamaica’s male bodybuilder of the year at the RJR/Gleaner Sports Foundation’s National Sportswoman and Sportsman of the Year awards in January, beat out competition from Barbados’s Kevon Carter and Suriname’s Raphael Kromokarijo for the crown.

Haiti’s Jean Jahnsen took the title in the medium category ahead of Jamaica’s Rayon Henry and Barbados’ Julian Belgrave.

Haiti also took top spot in the tall class through Marc Louis who won ahead of Barbados’ Bukkiah Providence and Jamaica’s Jevaughn Rosewell.

In men’s lightweight bodybuilding, Suriname’s Rudolph Getrow took top spot ahead of Barbados’ Curtis Kirby and Timon Howard.

At middleweight, the Dominican Republic’s Jeifry Richardson won gold ahead of Barbados’ Sanaj Lewis and Mexico’s Juan Galvan.

Guyana’s Nicholas Albert tool gold in the light heavyweight division ahead of Grenada’s Andrew Hyacinth and Suriname’s Anthony Nekrui while Barbados’ Nicholas Harris won the heavyweight crown ahead of Guyana’s Julio Sinclaire and Aruba’s Albert Kelly.

Antigua & Barbuda’s Shaquelle Thomas won both the men’s open classic bodybuilding and classic physique titles.

Jamaica’s Aldaine Taylor and Thomas’ countryman Jameel Knight were second and third in the bodybuilding section while Barbados’ Jurad Mason and Taylor rounded out the top three in the physique division.

Barbados’ Rashida Belgrave beat out Venezuela’s Lisset Campos for the short women’s body fitness category while Venezuela’s Anyer Camacho won the medium category ahead of Jamaica’s Ashane Gordon-Morrison and Barbados’ Allison Gotip.

Trinidad & Tobago’s Angela Campbell was the only competitor in the women’s open physique competition.

The women’s fit model open title was won by Barbados’ Shanequa Allamby ahead of Slovakia’s Ester Viznerova.

St. Kitts & Nevis’ Toni Nisbett won the women’s short bikini title ahead of Italy’s Eva Leone and Jamaica’s Jolene Miller while Barbados’ Shanequa Allamby won the medium category ahead of countrywoman Danielle Gill and Mexico’s Angelina Aleksandrovych.

The short women’s wellness title went to Guyana’s Hannah Rampersaud ahead of Antigua & Barbuda’s Jeredith John-Jules while the medium section went to Venezuela’s Gil Delgado ahead of the UK’s Shanda Carr and Suriname’s Vanessa Henry-Forster.

The overall titles were distributed as follows: Men’s Physique-Jean Jahnsen, Wellness-Gil Delgado, Body Fitness-Rashida Belgrave, Bikini Fitness-Toni Nisbett, Bodybuilding-Nicholas Albert.

World champions Shericka Jackson and Antonio Watson were crowned Jamaica’s Sportswoman and Sportsman of the year, respectively, at the 2023 RJRGLEANER Sports Foundation National Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year Awards ceremony at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel on Friday.

Jackson claimed the award for the first time after a phenomenal 2023 season which saw her successfully defend her World 200m title with a personal best 21.41, the second fastest time ever, in Budapest in August.

In addition to her 200m title, Jackson also ran 10.72 for 100m silver. She ended her season with the sprint double at the Diamond League Final in Eugene with times of 10.70 and 21.57, respectively, in September.

The 29-year-old also achieved a new personal best in the 100m with 10.65, the fifth fastest time ever, to defend her National title in July.

Antonio Watson shocked the world to become the first Jamaican man in 40 years to win 400m gold at the World Championships.

After running a massive personal best 44.14 in the semi-finals, the 22-year-old produced 44.22 to take gold in the final. Watson also ran 44.54 for second at the National Championships in July.

Watson also took home the people’s choice award for his gold medal winning performance.

Danielle Williams was named runner-up for Sportswoman of the Year while Hansle Parchment was runner-up for Sportsman of the Year.

Williams, like Watson, shocked the world in Budapest by claiming her second 100m hurdles World title, the other coming all the way back in 2015.

Parchment, the reigning Olympic champion, claimed his second World Championship silver medal with a 13.07 effort in Budapest. He followed that up in September with a new personal best 12.93 to win at the Diamond League Final in Eugene.

The recipient of the 2023 Icon Award was 400m hurdles Olympic and World champion Deon Hemmings-McCatty while West Indies Under-19 batsman Jordan Johnson was named the winner of the VM Group Y.O.U.T.H award.

Some other athletes receiving awards for their individual sports included CAC Games bronze medallist Tahlia Richardson for badminton, Ricardo “Big 12” Brown for boxing, Sherea Clarke and Wayne McCalla for bodybuilding, West Indies batter Rashada Williams for cricket and Sara Misir and Fraser McConnell for motorsport.

Arguably Jamaica’s two most successful sports teams, the Sunshine Girls and the Reggae Girls, were given special awards for their performances in 2023.

The Reggae Girls were rewarded for their historic performance at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand from July 20-August 20.

They became the first Caribbean team ever, male or female, to advance to the Round of 16 at a FIFA World Cup.

The Sunshine Girls also had a historically good year with a gold medal at the CAC Games held in El Salvador from June 25-29 and bronze at the Netball World Cup held from July 28-August 6 in South Africa.

That World Cup also saw the Jamaicans get their first ever World Cup win over world number one and eventual champions, Australia.

In an awe-inspiring triumph, Trinidad-born, Jamaica-based fitness athlete Avernell Modest clinched her Pro Card after dominating the stage and securing the overall Bikini title at the Ben Weider Natural Pro/Am Competition in Washington DC this Saturday. Just about three weeks’ prior, Modest had claimed a bronze medal in the F Class at the Ms. Olympia Amateur Competition in Orlando, Florida on October 30, setting her sights on the coveted Pro Card – a goal she swiftly accomplished.

Reflecting on her recent success, Modest shared insights with SportsMax.TV, shedding light on the valuable lessons she gleaned from her Ms. Olympia Amateur experience that undoubtedly contributed to her triumph in Washington.

"It’s an amazing feeling, I wish everyone can feel this at least once in their life," Modest exclaimed. "My coach and I went straight to work. We tweaked our front pose a bit and pushed conditioning a bit further. And we used my first experience from my last show into this show."

Understanding the competitive nature of the Bikini division, Modest emphasized the significance of first impressions. "Bikini division is always stacked, so I knew that the moment I stepped on stage, I had to give it my all," she shared.

Modest astutely observed the common backstage entrance strategy used by fellow competitors and seized the opportunity to set herself apart. "I noticed all the competitors went straight into the box from backstage, which is a side entrance. I took that as an opportunity to change my entrance by walking in-line with the box, then making my way into the box; I learned that from my last show also. I thought it was standard, but it wasn’t. The key was presenting well while fitting my category criteria."

To secure her Pro Card, Modest not only had to triumph in her height class (Class D) but also emerge victorious in the overall competition, competing against winners from all height classes (Class A-F). Undoubtedly, her strategic insights and commitment to perfection played a pivotal role in her remarkable achievement.

Now a Pro, Modest eagerly awaits her coach's debrief, eager to identify areas for further improvement. She is also anticipating feedback from the judges to refine her approach even more.

Expressing gratitude, Modest took a moment to acknowledge her sponsors, stating, "I’d love to mention my sponsors - Sweet Energy Fitness, Fitness Junkie-JA, and an honorable mention to Miss Audrey Allwood, the owner of FitFarm Fitness Club, where it all started."