THE 2023 Mayberry Investments Limited/Jamaica Amateur Bodybuilding and Fitness Association (JABBFA) Senior Championship begins today, and JABBFA President Audrey Allwood expects an entertaining and high-level event, especially with junior competitors participating.

The championship is slated to begin at 7:00 pm at AC Hotel Kingston

Over 80 athletes will participate in a variety of categories, including bodybuilding, men’s physique, classic physique, classic bodybuilding, women’s bikini fitness, women’s physique, and women’s body fitness.

The launch of the event was held at Jamaica Olympic Association on Thursday, with title sponsor Mayberry Investment Limited contributing $1 million.

With over 10 different gyms competing, including Express Fitness, Fit Farm Fitness Club, and Harding Fitness, Allwood stated that the tournament is shaping up to be a very successful staging and that all participants are ready to go.

“This is our national championship so the old guys are showing up. We had the junior championships a couple of weeks ago for the new bodybuilders and they are also coming out. Now that we have the older guys coming out and the new guys together, it’s going to be a really good championship,” Allwood told the Jamaica Observer.

“Every athlete is looking forward to it [the championship]. Everyone was moving slowly after COVID but everyone is excited to come out now so it’s going to be an interesting show. People are eagerly anticipating it and it should be entertaining as well,” she noted.

Allwood also said they will be using this championship to select a team for the International Fitness and Bodybuilding Federation (IFBB) Central and Caribbean Championship set to take place from September 21 to 25 in Aruba.

“After the national championship we’ll be off to the Caribbean Championships in Aruba, which we’re looking forward to; we know we’ll do well. We always come up with medals and we’re looking forward to more medals,” added the president.

Duvaugh Dick, the defending classic bodybuilding and heavyweight bodybuilding champion, stated that he expects to defend both titles — and nothing less.

“There is no stress. I like bodybuilding, I adore bodybuilding; that’s what I do. I’ve been putting in the effort since last year and I’m excited to get back on stage. I just want to go out there and put on a show for the crowd and for the judges to see my hard work and, hopefully, reward me,” Dick said.

Ashane Gordon-Morrison, the defending women’s physique and fitness champion, stated that she is looking forward to the event. “The truth is, every time I walk on stage I go to have fun, and that’s the most essential thing. I just want to go on stage and give it my all,” Gordon-Morrison explained.