A trio of young women from The Bahamas turned in some fantastic performances at the International Federation of BodyBuilding and Fitness (IFBB) Roger Boyce Amateur Classic in St. Michael, Barbados, over the weekend.
Leading the charge was Cara Saunders who became the latest Bahamian to earn a pro card in bodybuilding and fitness. Dorcas Cox and Fania Joseph also had top five results.
There are now 16 Bahamian professional athletes who compete in bodybuilding and fitness and six retired pro athletes. The active athletes are: Jameil Hamilton, Jason Johnson, Endierich Rahming, Rasheed Edgecombe, Lorraine LeFleur, LaKeisha Miller, Chanice Bain, Tammy Stubbs, Angelika Wallace-Whitfield, Tanya Moxey-Cleare, Terran Knowles, Darvin Johnson, Kaif Young, Raynor Ferguson, Jimmy Norius and now Cara Saunders. The six retired pro bodybuilding and fitness athletes are Joel Stubbs, Gena Mackey, Natasha Brown, Dominique Wilkinson, Charles Kemp and James 'Jay' Darling.
As for Cara Saunders, she was a double winner a year ago, taking the Northern Bahamas and national titles in overall women's wellness locally, and this past weekend she had a major breakthrough internationally, as she was able to claim the women's wellness short class title (up to 163 centimeters) in Barbados.
Saunders held off Kayla Joseph of Antigua & Barbuda and hometown favorite Maria Grimes. In the overall category, Saunders finished second to Jamaican Sherea Clarke.
Cox showed what she could do in the women's body fitness open category, securing a second place finish. Kara-Lynn Belle, of Barbados, emerged victorious. Cox was second and Ashane Gordon-Morrison, of Jamaica, rounded out the top three.
In women's bikini (up to 164 centimeters), National Champion Fania Joseph had to settle for a fourth place finish. There was a Bajan sweep in this event as Mikhaila Farier came out on top, Trudi-Anne Bovell was second and Cherise Ashby finished third.
Also in Barbados, in the pro segment of the show, Jason Johnson placed fourth among a field of 12 competitors in the men's physique category, Endierich Rahming competed in men's physique, Rasheed Edgecombe competed in the men's classic physique category, and Saunders made her pro debut fresh off winning the women's wellness short class title.
"Hats off to our athletes for another weekend of hard work, dedication, consistency, determination, commitment and for being goal driven," said Bahamas Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation (BBFF) President Joel Stubbs. "Great athletes were on display and we were able to walk away with top honors in some categories. Congratulations to Cara Saunders, winner in the women's wellness short class and as a result, she gained her pro card. Congrats to Dorcas Cox, silver medal finisher in the women's body fitness (figure) category. Congrats to Fania Joseph who missed the mark and ended up placing fourth in the women's bikini fitness category.
"In the pro segment, we congratulate Jason Johnson who placed fourth among a field of 12 competitors in the men's physique category. Congratulations to Endierich Rahming who gave it a gutsy effort as well. Congratulations to Rasheed Edgecombe who again was competitive in a field of fierce competitors in the men's classic physique category. Lastly, congratulations to our newest pro competitor Cara Saunders who made her pro debut at this event but was not in a top position.
"We say to the rest of you seeking professional status, that the sky is still the limit but to touch and dwell among the stars, you must take your fitness game to another level and achieve. Blessings to all for a job well done."
The BBFF Northern Bahamas Championships has been cancelled and the novice, nationals and Bahamas Games bodybuilding and fitness will be combined into one event, set for Tuesday July 11 at the University of The Bahamas (UB) Performing Arts Center Auditorium right here in New Providence, The Bahamas.
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