The country's local bodybuilding scene welcomed two rising stars to the fold, while honoring one of the stalwarts of the sport at its first event of the year.

At the 24th Bahamas Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation Novice Championships, the federation renamed the event the Raymond Tucker Novice Championships in honor of the legendary bodybuilder and saw Vincent Paul and Tanisha Bethel dominate the competition. Paul was crowned the men's overall winner in the event. He also took first place in the middleweight division and was named Most Muscular.

Meko Evans finished second following the men's overall pose down, but took first place in the welterweight division.

Jaheel Butler took the title in the junior division and finished second behind Paul amongst the Middleweights.

Ranaldo Smith finished second in the welterweight division, while Tarino Stubbs was third in middleweights.

Bethel was a big winner on the women's side of the event.

She won the junior, lightweight, women's lightweight open, body fitness junior, body fitness open, overall bodybuilding female and overall fitness titles.

The event serves as a showcase to the sport's newcomers and gives the federation a sound impression of its future stars.

Federation executives say the Novice Championships provide an opportunity for the federation to showcase its stars of the future and also its junior program - entrants under the age of 21.

The second event on the BBFF calendar this year will be the Grand Bahama Bodybuilding Association Bodybuilding and Fitness Championships on June 26.

The 37th Annual BBFF National Championships is set for July 3 in the capital.

Click here to read more in The Tribune