JABBFA expects spectacular national champs
Published:Thursday | September 26, 2024 | 12:10 AMLivingston Scott/Gleaner Writer
PRESIDENT OF the Jamaica Amateur Bodybuilding and Fitness Association (JABBFA) Audrey Allwood is expecting the Mayberry/Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA) JABBFA National Senior Championships, which will be staged at the AC Hotel on Saturday, starting at 7 pm, to be a great success.
Speaking at the event’s launch at the office of the JOA on Tuesday, Allwood said for the last three years, especially since Mayberry came on as sponsor, the event has continued to grow, and she anticipates an even greater turnout and excitement this weekend
“As usual, our championships is going to be very good. It has been three years with Mayberry and it has been fantastic. And it has been getting better every year with them. We appreciate them so much and this is going to be a grand event,” she said.
“We have over 40 athletes taking part, which is great. We have the juniors, we have athletes over 60 years old and as young as 20.
“This is the event of the year. This is our national championships. I am confident it will be a success. So we are expecting great excitement and for everybody to come out.”
She noted that traditionally the bodybuilding category was the staple of the championships, but that the rapid growth in fitness enthusiasts across the island led to the association including other categories such as bikini fitness, women’s and men’s physique, and body fitness, and she believes this has helped to add even more interest.
“Everything is bodybuilding. Fitness, bikini. So overall it’s the bodybuilding championships. But now we have women’s physique, we have bodybuilding fitness and wellness. So we have quite a few categories, which makes it more fun.”
The championships will also help select the nation’s representatives at the Caribbean Championship in Guyana in October.
CHOOSING THE TEAM
“Right after the show we will be choosing the team to go to the Caribbean Championship. So they have to be prepared for that,” she added.
Damian Whylie, general manager, assets management, at Mayberry, said the organisation was proud to support the event, which continues to grow and highlight the best of Jamaica’s bodybuilding and fitness.
He noted also that the partnership with the JABBFA is not just about supporting athletes, but also about promoting health, discipline and excellence.
“This year is particularly special,” he said.
“We welcome the Jamaica Olympic Association in the team. Their involvement brings an additional prestige to the championships and we are excited about the new opportunities this will create for our athletes, helping them to compete at an even higher level on the international stage.
“We are working to elevate the sport in Jamaica, shining a well-deserved spotlight on its benefits for personal wellness and national pride.
“Mayberry remains fully committed. Standing by JABBFA and our partners as we continue to build healthier, stronger Jamaicans through sports.”
Reigning overall female champion Ashane Gordon Morrison, like Allwood, is expecting a higher turnout, as well as a greater challenge to the defence of her title.
“I will be participating in women’s physique and body fitness. I am super excited about this particular championships because I have been competing since 2019 and this year I anticipate more women competing in body fitness, and especially women’s physique. I am expecting a tougher challenge. But absolutely expect to defend my title.
“I am also expecting Jamaica to come out and support bodybuilding. It is still a growing sport and I feel that not too many Jamaicans are aware of it. So I want them to come out and support it, so every year we can get bigger,” she said.