The most muscular and most fit athletes in the Central America and Caribbean (CAC) region have already started descending upon The Bahamas for the 43rd CAC Bodybuilding & Fitness Championships, set for this weekend at the Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island.

The weigh-in for all athletes is Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. inside the Imperial Ballroom at Atlantis, the pre-judging is set for Friday from 2-10:30 p.m. at Atlantis, and the main show will be held on Saturday starting at 2 p.m. Athletes from Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago and St. Kitts & Nevis arrived in New Providence yesterday.

"Everything is set for this weekend. We are in the final preparation stages, and we anticipate a great show this weekend," said Joel Stubbs, president of the Bahamas Bodybuilding & Fitness Federation (BBFF). Stubbs, a former professional bodybuilder for The Bahamas, took over at the helm of the BBFF after Danny Sumner stepped down earlier this year. Sumner served for 15 years before stepping down as president.

Now, in his first year in charge, Stubbs has brought the biggest bodybuilding and fitness event in this region to The Bahamas. He earned his pro card at the 2003 CAC Championships in The Bahamas, and competed for a number of years internationally before retiring from the sport. Now, serving as the top bodybuilding and fitness administrator in the country, Stubbs said that it will be a proud moment for him to be in charge of the federation that will host the event this weekend.

A total of 43 athletes are set to represent The Bahamas, in body fitness, fitness, bikini and women's physique in the women's categories; and men's physique, men's bodybuilding and men's fitness in the men's categories. After Friday's pre-judging, the field will be narrowed down to six athletes in each division for Saturday's main show. The top three athletes in each category will receive trophies and fourth through sixth will receive medals.

"There are a lot of categories so it's important that we get everything done in a timely manner," said Stubbs. "For the weigh-ins on Thursday, all of the athletes will come in and make their respective weights. Each country would come in one at a time to make the process run smoothly. For the ladies, particular the ones in the bikini division, they would have to come in, showcase their suits and shoes to ensure that they are up to IFBB standard. For the men in the men's physique, they would have to ensure that their trunks are up to standard. Also, the ladies would have to make their respective heights. This is a top notch event, and the process is very stringent. Everything has to meet the criteria of the IFBB."

A judges meeting is set for after the weigh-in of athletes, 5 p.m. on Thursday, and an official welcoming cocktail reception will be held in the Atina Room of Atlantis later that evening. The athletes will hit the stage on Friday and Saturday. The CAC Championships is sanctioned by the International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness (IFBB).

Last year, The Bahamas earned a pro card in the sport for the second consecutive year, and fourth in the past 10 years. Overall, The Bahamas finished second behind two-time champion Barbados at last year's competition. The Dominican Republic was third.

It is being reported that about 400 athletes from about 40 countries are expected to take part in this year's CAC Championships right here in The Bahamas.

The posedown for the overall titles for the IFBB pro cards will wrap up the championships on Saturday evening.

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