The Jamaica Amateur Bodybuilding and Fitness Association (JABBFA) says its upcoming Jamaica Invitational Bodybuilding Championships will mark what it describes as a turning point in the future of local bodybuilding.

The competition will be held at the Courtleigh Auditorium in St Andrew on Saturday, November 23.

JABBFA says for years it has had difficulty fielding large national teams at international events due to financial and sponsorship limitations. It says a lack of a professional platform for local athletes has hindered its ability to gain global exposure. However, it says the Championships were launched after working closely with the Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA) and adopting what it describes as a forward-thinking, solution-focused approach as a critical part of its national development strategy.

“We are laying the foundation for an event that will not only raise the standard of bodybuilding in Jamaica but also provide athletes with the opportunity to compete at a professional level in the near future,” JABBFA President Audrey Allwood said.

Though 2024 marks the debut of the Jamaica Invitational as an amateur competition, JABBFA sees it becoming a Pro Qualifier within the next three to five years. While no pro cards will be awarded this year, the event will feature over $500,000 in prize money across five categories, making it the largest prize purse in Jamaica’s bodybuilding history.

“Our athletes have the talent, but we needed to create a platform that showcases them on the world stage,” Allwood said. “With the support of the JOA and Supreme Ventures, we are laying the groundwork for our amateur athletes to become professionals. This is only the beginning of what we believe will be a historic movement for bodybuilding in the region.”

The five categories at the Championships are bodybuilding, classic bodybuilding, men’s physique, women’s bikini fitness, and women’s bikini wellness.

JABBFA says interest in the Jamaica Invitational has already expanded beyond local borders, with competitors from other Caribbean nations, the USA, and Europe expressing their desire to participate. Several of Jamaica’s top-tier athletes have already confirmed their attendance based on exclusive invites, but the competition remains open for others to register.

JABBFA says this is a rare opportunity for aspiring bodybuilders to stand alongside the best, help grow the sport and be part of an event that will shape the future of bodybuilding in Jamaica. JABBFA says it invites athletes across all levels to seize this opportunity, register now, and help lay the foundation for bodybuilding’s continued growth and development.

ALLWOOD…this is only the beginning of what we believe will be a historic movement for bodybuilding in the region