Bodybuilding champs set for August

Over 40 athletes – men, women, boys, and girls – will be competing in the Barbados Bodybuilding and Fitness Association’s National Championships on Saturday, August 17. BABBFF Nationals  will be held at the Garfield Sobers Gymnasium.

Seven categories will be contested. The show gets underway from 5:00 pm, as the best of the best vie for the opportunity to fly the flag at the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Championships.

Leanna Carter of J&S Fitness will defend the Women’s Physique title she won in 2023. She also won at Barbados Nationals in 2019, and previously at the Body Figure Nationals in 2017. Her main challenger will be Eureka Goodridge, representing Beyond Limits Fitness Centre, entering her first competition after several years of training.

In the Women’s Wellness section, Maria Grimes (Bodyshapers), former Bikini Fitness champion Tiffany Campbell (Hong Fitness Studios), and Janelle Butcher (ABC Fitness Studios) will line up.

Competition will be keen in the Women’s Bikini Class, where seven women will be aiming for gold. They include newcomer Danniell Francis of Hilton Gym; Sherri-Lyn Burke from Twin Gym; Trudi-Ann Bovell , posing for Body Shapers Personal Training Services; Twin Gym veteran Michelle Bryan;  Terissa Bushell (ABC Fitness); rookie Shanice Mason, representing Level Up;  and masters’ athlete Joyann Holford.

The Women’s Body Fitness and Women’s Fit Model categories have one entry each to date. Danielle Holder of Body By Kirk is registered in the former, and Aaliyah Ellis from ABC Fitness Studios in the latter.

The Men’s Physique has attracted seven posers. Three-time Mr Bridgetown, Julian Belgrave (Valley Fitness Zone); four-time ABC Inter-Gym Masters’ champion, Shone Springer (Formula Gym); and Cole Yates (Strike Force) will go in both the seniors and masters.

Their rivals for seniors include Raymond Edwards (Holos Health); CAC competitor Tyrell Forde (Bodyshapers Personal Training Services); Bukkiah Providence (Better Life Fitness Workshop); and Carl Harewood (Beyond Limits).

In Men’s Classic Physique, the spotlight will be on Jurad Mason (X-Tremebody Mechanic), two-time defending champion, and back-to-back CAC medallist.

He will seek to fend off mainly fresh challenges from Kirk Bovell (Body Shapers Personal Training Services); Micaiah Gittens (Club Fitness – Coverly); Keliel Marshall (Beyond Limits Fitness); Dadrian Holder (Beyondyourlimits); and Renaldo Bourne.

The Men’s Bodybuilding Class will comprise three seniors and three masters. Curtis Kirby (Body Shapers Personal Training) and four-time masters winner Roger Streeks (Betterlife Fitness) will go in both divisions. 2023 Mr Barbados Sanaj Lewis (Applegrove) is down for the seniors. Kirk Bovell (Body Shapers Personal Training) will take on the masters.

Four kids are registered for Children’s Fitness. They are Jadae Darlington (Tumblebugs Kids Gymnastics); Aaron Small (Acroflex); Ariya Bynoe (Acroflex); and Sariah Baird (Tumblebugs Kids Gymnastics).

(TF)