The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

FORMER bodybuilder Nicole Richardson is now the second Bahamian and the first female to obtain her International Federation of Bodybuilding International Judges Card.

At the Mr Olympia in Medellin, Colombia, over the weekend where Jimmy Norius got a fifth place finish in the men’s masters physique, Richardson was awarded her certification, joining former Bahamas Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation president Danny Sumner as the only two Bahamians to judge an international competition.

Like Sumner, Richardson first earned her Inter-Continental card, which allowed her to judge at the Central American and Caribbean Games and now she can judge at all IFBB amateur shows around the world, such as the Mr Olympia level as a result of her certification.

But current federation president Joel Stubbs, who was instrumental in getting Richardson into the sport, said the goal is to eventually get her elevated to the level where she can judge at the IFBB professional ranks and the World Championships.

Richardson, a former women’s body fitness/short class figure competitor, moved into the judging realm in June, 2016 and she took a number of courses, including sitting the exam in Curacoa in December and the practical in Colombia to springboard her transition.

“Because I was an athlete and I know the disciplines and the requirements and I have the eye for the sport, I decided to take it further. Of course, I love the sport,” she stressed. “I judged at Mr Olympia and I was awarded the card.”

Richardson, who did her first show as a competitor in 2013, was one of three Bahamians who attempted to secure their card at Mr Olympia, but she was the only one successful.

“As an athlete, sometimes when you compete and you have your losses, you don’t understand why you get beat,” Richardson said. “You have one or two people who tell you that you should have won and you can improve on this and improve on that.

“But I was interested in learning about what the judges were actually looking for. I did quite a few shows. In one year, we did about four shows. I wanted to stop competing and maintain my healthy lifestyle with the dramatic dieting and stuff like that.”

As a wife and mother, Richardson said she wanted to eat whatever she wanted, have fun and still look good at the same time. But because of the love for the sport, she decided to look into the judging aspect so she can assist other athletes.

“I was fortunate enough to travel to go to different seminars and that worked out in my favour and I was able to get the judging card,” she said.

“I’m happy to make my country proud and I am hoping that I can inspire some other women to do the same thing.

“I think when it comes to the fitness world and bodybuilding, we as women feel as once we pick up the weights, we don’t look like a man. But when I go into the gym, I lift weights heavy and I still look good. I’m still sexy.”

Richardson, who has survived two C-sections, also provides group training online and her platform is outlined on her facebook page where persons interested can contact for more details.

“If your mind is made up, you can do it,” Richardson summed up. “It’s exciting for me to be a certified bodybuilding judge. I am enjoying it.”

Stubbs said that while he would have liked to add the other judges to the list over the weekend in Colombia, they will have a chance when they go to the Dominican Republic next month to sit their course.

Richardson is among a list of 14 local judges with six of them being certified to perform at the CAC level. Her elevation is a major accomplishment for the federation under Stubbs’ watch.

“It’s my duty to get my chief judge qualified too,” said Richardson of Stacy Carey. “But in time, we will push her.”

Stubbs, however, said he’s very proud of Richardson’s achievement and he’s looking forward to the day when he can see her elevate to judging the professional ranks as a Bahamian female.