Men are off to IFBB event

A 13-member national Bodybuilding and Fitness team recently came back from the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Championships in Jamaica where they maintained the country's top five regional ranking.

Today, a team is off again for competition, but this time to the Czech Republic to participate in the 61st International Federation for Bodybuilding (IFBB) World Championships and Congress, which was formerly known as Mr. Universe. Competition begins this coming Friday, October 27, and will continue through the weekend. The bodybuilding team is expected to return home some time early next week.

"A lot of people may not know this, but it is the highest ranking amateur bodybuilding event in the IFBB," informed Bahamas Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation (BBFF) President Danny Sumner. "It's very prestigious, and out of this championship will come professionals." During the competition there will also be seminars held over the weekend, in which matters such as doping and regulatory measures will be addressed.

The competition is for males only, and according to Sumner, he expects that 11 Bahamians will receive their pro-card (professional status) after the event is done with. Not overlooking the nine other talented athletes making the trip, but part of Sumner's confidence is motivated by veteran bodybuilder Raymond Tucker, and young stud Paul Wilson. Both returned from the CAC Championships with medals. Tucker won three, including a gold and two silvers, and Wilson won a silver medal.

"It's a pleasure to take two good athletes in Raymond Tucker, and of course, Paul Wilson. We had Jaye Darling to go too, but because of his work obligations he just can't make it. So, that is the only unfortunate thing, but we feel good about the athletes we have now," Sumner said. He also highlighted that, "Paul and Tucker have been competing for a long time. They both have something to offer, and they have both work hard. That is why I picked them to go on this team - because I know what they're capable of doing. They know themselves that they're capable of doing well - representing the country."

With regards to Darling's situation, this is another hiccup in his ambition of becoming a professional bodybuilder. Darling was in attendance at the press conference yesterday at Mystical Fitness in Palmdale, despite knowing that he won't be on the team. He indicated that he will be making a statement sometime next week to address the issue of him not being able get the time off from work to represent the country in the Czech Republic.

For Wilson and Tucker, this is business as usual. Tucker, who's now in his early 40's, feels that his experience over the years should give him an edge in the welterweight division. "Nothing is impossible with God. With God all things are possible, because we are made in the image and likeness of him, and that's why we could get our bodies to any level - if we do all things through him."

Although Wilson is still in his early 20's, he's now considered one of the senior members on the squad. He realises that the torch has been passed on to him, and encourages other young men to follow their dreams, but most importantly "stay focused."

"Well, the torch has been on to me from long time. They (veterans) were all, one by one, telling me to just keep on going. I was a junior then, I'm not a junior now, and I'm already in the top ranks in The Bahamas. So I think, when I get their age I'll be at a higher level than they were able to attain," said Wilson.

Receiving encouragement from his local role models has helped Wilson to establish himself in the sport of bodybuilding, but he says "it takes more than just praise to be good - you gotta want to be good."

In addition to this, Wilson said that he doesn't let the recognition go to his head. "I stay humble. Most of the athletes that we have nowadays, as soon as they start winning they become arrogant. When you become arrogant, you become block-minded - that means you don't take in a lot when people try to criticise constructively. I really try to save any information that's passed on to me so I could use it."