The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

THE Bahamas Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation has selected five males to their seven-member team for the Central American and Caribbean Championships next month in San Salvador, El Salvador, with two others pending.

The team was selected following the federation’s showcase at J-line Fitness on Saturday. The event was held in the absence of a National Bodybuilding and Fitness Championships due to the restrictions imposed as a result of COVID-19.

Kaif Young, making his fourth appearance at the CAC Championships, is expected to compete in the men’s physique tall class, but his main objective is to secure his professional card as one of the overall winners.

“The goal is always to bring home the gold,” said Young, who won a silver in 2019 and got the bronze last year. “Last year, the gyms were not really open to train, but this year they are, so everything should be better. Hopefully I can get the gold.”

And for him to achieve that top coloured medal that has eluded him, Young said he will have to further develop his chest and his back. Training under the supervision of federation president and IBBA pro Joel Stubbs at Club One Bahamas, the 36-year-old banker said he feels he can accomplish that feat.

Terrion Kemp is a 20-year-old novice competitor in the men’s physique.

“I was introduced to the sport about nine months ago. Someone who used to train me told me that I should try it,” said Kemp, who is employed at Baha Mar.

“Once I put my mind to it, I go after it. From day one, I told myself, this is what I’m going to do.

“I have a lot to work on in the future, but right now I’m pretty pleased with where I’m at.”

As a rookie, Kemp said he was looking to go on stage and compete before his family and friends, but when he found out that it would only be in front of the judges, he knew he had to step up and put his best foot forward.

“I have a lot to work on. I have to put on more size and more muscle and improve on my routine,” he said.

Another novice Andrew Gibson, who is competing in the classic physique, said it was a dream come true for him to try out for the national team.

“I’ve been training for a number of years, but this year I decided I would push the envelope and just go for it,” he said. “I came here today to put in the work. I was consistent and dedicated and I went out there to impress the judges.”

Weighing out the options in front of him, competing only in front of the judges, Gibson said it was a win-win situation because they were able to critique him right away and give him his assessment to help him as he moves forward.

“I know I have to try out some more with my diet and my workout plan,” pointed out the 33-year-old who works out at Gains For Life Fitness under coach Wellington Wallace. “I have to practice my vacuum in my posing.”

For Demetrius Clarke, a leading seaman in the Royal Bahamas Defence Force and a certified personal trainer at Empire Fitness, was the winner of men’s physique B class at the nationals in 2019. He’s hoping that he can make his second national team. Last year, the 34-year-old made the team but wasn’t able to travel because of work commitments.

“I felt great out there, but I know it could have been better,” he stated. “We’ve been through a lot with COVID-19, but it’s no excuse. My life wasn’t the same in 2019 versus 2021, but I feel good about what I presented to the judges.

“I just need to work on my abs, my mid-section and my upper chest. I know my weaker points. I even had an injury while I was training and it just healed up before I came here. So I had to deal with all of that. But I’m glad to get this opportunity to compete again.”

Considered the senior statesman of the team, Gemo Smith said holding down a full-time job at Baha Mar and training is not easy on the body. At the age of 45, he’s back in the men’s physique, hoping to improve on his best showing in Mexico in 2018 when he was a finalist.

“I was not as sharp as I will be for CAC, but for today, I was on point,” he stressed.

“I need to work on my lower back and my side posing. I want to win. There’s nothing else for me to do this time around. I think I have a good chance to do it this year.”

Smith, however, said that while it was disappointing that there were not sufficient competitors to compete in a show, he was just delighted to be able to showcase his current improvement before the judges before he heads off for the championships.

And Jason Johnson, the 30-year-old personal trainer and co-proprietor of Gains For Life Fitness with IBBF pro Lorraine LaFleur, would like nothing better than to improve on his sixth place finish at last year’s championships.

“This viewing for the CAC Championships was a good opportunity for me. I felt I brought a different package from the last time I competed in 2020,” he said. “I built more muscle and features to my physique and my presentation was much better than the last time. I felt more comfortable.”

Located on Soldier Road, Johnson encouraged to come out and view their new facility as they prepare to celebrate one year next month. The operating hours are between 5am to 9pm during the week and from 9am to 5pm on Saturdays. They are closed on Sundays and holidays.

Paul ‘Mighty Mouse’ Wilson is another personal trainer in the gym that offers a registration fee of $55 per month.