MANDEVILLE, Manchester — The Miss Bikini Jamaica International competition returned with its tenth staging at Cecil Charlton Hall in Mandeville, Manchester, recently with Latoya Malcolm taking the top honours.

Malcolm, 33, a dance instructor, in addition to copping the top title, was awarded Best Figure, Best Legs, and Best Condition.

Vionna Holland was second, while Rashida Bignall came in third

Bignall was also awarded Best Performance, while Holland was awarded Best Muscle Tone. Latoya Duncan secured the Most Confident Award.

Malcolm said it took months of hard-core fitness training to cop the title.

“It is just an overwhelming feeling. My family and supporters know how hard I have been working. I live in the gym. I live in the dance studio on the dance floor. I am a dance instructor at Encore dance studios. I have been so dedicated over the years and this year the last six to seven months have been jam-packed with work and more dedication, so I am really honoured to be here receiving a trophy as the winner,” she said.

“You don’t just overnight get up with a beautiful body, and to win those sectional prizes meant that I was working deliberately on the body. These competitions are not just a walk in the park. They are actually made from real sweat and tears,” she added.

She said, despite the passing of her father, Winston, earlier this year she persevered.

“I lost my dad in April and I still worked right through; it has been hard on me, but I thank God for the resilience and strength, family and friends, my supporters,” she said.

Event organiser Dwight Dunn said 13 contestants were trained for the competition, but only nine made it to the finals.

“We had more contestants, but since Beryl came some people haven’t even received [electricity] yet. Four contestants stepped out because they lost their roof and other challenges. They are from St Elizabeth and Westmoreland,” he explained.

He said the event was conceptualised 12 years ago. The first show was first started at James Bond Beach in Oracabessa, St Mary, and then it was moved to Kingston for eight years.

In 2020 the event was moved to Mandeville to host a virtual show because of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022, however, the event returned to its glory.

“Every year I look forward to putting on a show,” Dunn said.

He said his background in fitness fuels his passion for the yearly competition.

“I used to compete as a bodybuilder and I am a Miss World and Miss Universe judge. For many years I prepared the contestants and I decided to merge the concept of women who are very fit and women who are very beautiful,” he said. “The title of the person who won is really the ‘Sexiest Woman in Jamaica’,” he remarked.