Stubbs 10th At EUROPA Super Show

Big Joel Stubbs, 38, The Bahamas’ first and only professional bodybuilder, is touring the world competing in professional shows.
On Saturday, August 26, he finished 10th out of 22 participants who were given the prestigious invitation to compete in the International Federation of Bodybuilding’s 2006 Pro EUROPA Super Show in Arlington, Texas.

The 10th place finish was an improvement on his 12th place finish in 2005 when he made his debut.

Defending champion Branch Warren did not compete and Toney Freeman from the United States was crowned the new champion and took home the $10,000 cash prize.

In second place, Americans Quincy Taylor won $5,000 and Johnnie Jackson finished third and won $3,000.

Darrem Charles from Trinidad and Tobago was fourth and won $2,000.

Only the top five finishers receive a cash prize with fifth place earning $1,000.

Heather Foster and Dena Westerfield from the United States were first and second in the women’s competition. Fellow American Colette Nelson was third.

American Tanji Johnson won the fitness competition followed by Mindi O’Brien from Canada second.

Going into the EUROPA Show bodybuilding experts like Myron Mielke projected that Stubbs would finish in the top 10, but they questioned his ability to win it all.

Stubbs was lauded for the muscle development in his back that was described by Mielke as "awesome" and was compared to the eight-time world champion Ronnie Coleman.

Mielke said, "Stubbs has got a bright future when he fills out a little more."

Coleman was a guest of Stubbs and The Bahamas Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation during the 2005 nationals Championships in New Providence where he set the audience on fire with a mini posing session, although not in his absolute best form at the time.

World bodybuilders generally agree that Stubbs had "one of the best backs in the business." However, the view is that he has more work to do in other areas in order to be a consistent challenge in winning the big events.

After earning his pro-card in 2003 he admitted the need and that has been a main focus.

Stubbs does most of his training at Planet Fitness Gym, where he is part owner after recently buying out the world renowned Gold’s Gym franchise.

Like Alan Stanford has done with cricket, Stubbs wants to promote bodybuilding in the Caribbean in addition to seeing how far he can advance his personal career as a professional.

Stubbs, 6-feet 3-inches and weighing between 280 and 300 pounds in and out of season, is a pilot for Bahamasair, dividing his time between his native Nassau and his usual destinations of Miami, Florida, and Atlanta, Georgia.

Stubbs played basketball at Florida Technical College and started bodybuilding in 1996.

After tearing patellar tendons of both knees on a basketball court, he committed more energy to physique competition.