The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Chief Sports Editor

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

AFTER making her Olympia debut with a 14th place finish, Dekel 'Bowflex' Quant said she's inspired to return to bodybuilding's biggest stage next year.

Over the weekend in Las Vegas, Nevada, she made history as the first female and only the second Bahamian to compete at the world's biggest bodybuilding stage, joining big Joel Stubbs, who broke the barrier in 2009 when he placed 16th in the men's bodybuilding competition.

Quant, a personal fitness trainer, finished 14th place with a total of 70 points out of a field of 30 competitors from all around the world at the Orleans Arena on Friday night.

Canadian Lolo Montez, last year's runner-up, captured the title with five points and a cash prize of $50,000. She was followed by last year's third place finisher Jessica Reyes Padilia, of Puerto Rico, who moved up to second with 10 points for $20,000. Denise Zwinger-Tynek, of Germany, with 12 points, winning $12,000, finished third.

The defending champion, Rhea Gayle of the United Kingdom, was fourth with 20 points for $7,000, and Lena Ramsteiner of Germany rounded out the money earners in fifth with 25 points for $6,000.

The top American was Cherish Richardson in sixth place with 30 points.

After her performance, Quant said the first thing that came to mind was her feeling of gratitude.

"To know that I was stepping onto the biggest stage in bodybuilding, a stage that less than five percent of professional bodybuilders ever get to experience was something I really tried to take in," she said.

"But what stood out to me most was that when I stepped out there, I truly felt like I belonged. I wasn’t overwhelmed or intimidated by the moment. I knew I had earned my spot as one of the best in the world, and I wanted to walk out there with confidence and represent myself, The Bahamas and natural athletes around the world proudly."

What made it even special was the fact that Quant said she had close to 20 of her family and friends from home in the audience.

"Hearing them cheering and seeing all those Bahamian flags waving from the stage was honestly one of the biggest wins of the entire weekend for me," she said.

On stage, Quant earned a spot in the second callout and ultimately finished 14th in the 30-athlete field. While her goal had been to reach the top 10, she said the performance left her encouraged.

"My goal was to make the top 10 and have the opportunity to come back and compete in the finals, so there was definitely some disappointment in not reaching that goal," she stressed.

"At the same time, I walked away encouraged by my performance. Making second callouts in a division of 30 incredible athletes and being compared ahead of women who have earned multiple Olympia qualifications, including athletes who have previously placed in the top five and top 10, gave me a lot of perspective."

And as a natural athlete, Quant said she's often been told that she wouldn’t be competitive at this level, but she was able to prove the naysayers wrong as she demonstrated that she belonged on that stage.

"More than anything, 14th gives me something to build from and even more motivation to get back on that stage and continue climbing the ranks," she commented.

Looking at the level of competition she faced, Quant said it was exactly what you would expect from The Olympia.

"These are the best athletes in the world, and everyone comes prepared," she pointed out. "The overall Olympia experience, though, was even more than I dreamed it would be.

"The level of production, the execution of the entire event and the way the athletes are treated and cared for throughout the weekend was remarkable. You really feel the magnitude of what you’ve accomplished just by earning the opportunity to be there. It gave me an even greater appreciation for The Olympia and made me want to earn my way back."

Having gotten a taste of the competition, Quant said she realised that there is still another level for her to reach.

"This experience gave me valuable feedback and a much clearer picture of what I need to bring the next time I step onto an Olympia stage. Instead of being discouraged by not making the top 10, I’m leaving motivated because now I’ve stood beside the best in the world and I know where I fit and where I need to improve," Quant pointed out.

"I also learned how important it is to take in the experience itself. Placings matter—we’re competitors—but there was so much more to this weekend. I made history for my country, had my family and friends there to experience it with me, and proved something to myself that no placing can take away."

And as she works towards another appearance next year, Quant said her biggest focus will be to add more density to her upper body so that she can create an even more balanced and competitive figure physique.

"That is going to require a very intentional and structured offseason. At this level, the improvements become more detailed, and I know I can’t just train harder for the sake of training harder," she pointed out. 

"I have to be strategic about where I need to grow, prioritize recovery and give myself enough time to actually make those improvements. Having now stood in an Olympia lineup, I have an even clearer understanding of the standard I’m working toward."

Now, Quant said her plans moving forward is to defend her Ben Weider Naturals Pro Figure title in November, which is about seven weeks away. Winning there would earn me a qualification for the 2027 Olympia.

"That would put me in an ideal position because I would have approximately 11 months to focus on making the improvements we know I need instead of spending the year chasing another qualification," she proclaimed,

"Beyond the competitive goals, I’m leaving my first Olympia incredibly grateful. I’m honoured to have represented The Bahamas on bodybuilding’s biggest stage and to be the first Bahamian woman to do so. I’m equally proud to have represented natural athletes and hopefully be proof that being a natural athlete does not mean you have to put a ceiling on what you believe is possible."

Having seen and competed against some of the world's best, Quant quipped that she earned her place among the best in the world and her goal is to earn her way back as she improves and keep climbing to get to the top.