Andrew Coakley, The Freeport News - Grand Bahama will set the stage for those Bahamian bodybuilders and fitness athletes to test the waters before the national championship.

The Northern Bahamas Bodybuilding Championships are set for July 4 at the Regency Theatre and it is shaping up to be an extremely competitive show. With the National championships two weeks later in Nassau, the Grand Bahama show will give athletes (and fans) a chance to see what they can possibly improve on within two weeks.

"Close to 30 athletes have said that they will compete in this year's show, but like always, you have to wait until the week of the show to get a true number of how many athletes will definitely compete," said Juledor Corneille, president of the Grand Bahama Bodybuilding Association.

"So far, we have had confirmations from athletes from Nassau, Abaco, Long Island, and of course right here in Grand Bahama."

With only the novice championships having already been staged, the Grand Bahama Championship is the biggest show next to the Nationals. It is the second show of the season and for the seasoned athletes, it's like a pre-competition show before the Nationals or any other show in the season.

There has been some buzz in Nassau about the show, with some of the top trainers dropping hints about preparing some of their clients for the show. Local athletes here in Grand Bahama are also anticipating the participation of some of the Nassau veterans like Jay Darling, Gina Mackey, Nardo Dean, Aaron Green, Raymond Tucker and others.

Of course, these athletes have not yet confirmed whether or not they will compete. By Monday of next week, a more definite list of athletes will be available.

In the meantime, local Grand Bahama athletes are busy gearing up for the competition, honing the final stage of their diet and lifting really just to maintain and sharpen some dull edges of their physiques.

"The road to the Nationals runs through Grand Bahama," added Juledor.

July 3 will be the official weigh-in at Port Lucaya, beginning at 7:30 p.m. This will give the fans and even visitors to the island, an opportunity to get a glimpse of some of the athletes during their weigh-in in the square.

The pre-judging will take place on Saturday morning at 9 a.m. at the Regency Theatre. There will be a cost of $3 for those attending the pre-judging.

Although the pre-judging is more technical than the show later that night, it gives a glimpse as to who will be the favourite to watch the night of the show.

"The pre-judging is a must see event for those who really want to see the inner working of how the sport of bodybuilding works," said Juledor.

"I encourage those fans to attend the pre-judging, because it is there where the nuts and bolts of the competition is seen."

The Association president said that the show later that night promises to be exciting as athletes give bodybuilding fans a treat with their individual routines and overall pose downs.

From sources inside the various gyms around the island, there will be some surprise entrants for this year's championships. Some will be novices and many veterans are said to be returning to the stage.

"Everyone wants to be prepared for the nationals, so they use this show to get ready," said one trainer, who wanted to remain anonymous.

"The nationals is the big thing, so you can't go there half-stepping. You have to be on your game for the nationals. That's why I believe a number of Nassau athletes always come down to the Northern Bahamas, because they use it as a stage to prepare for the nationals."

With the Grand Bahama show returning to the Regency Theatre, it is an indication that bodybuilding in Grand Bahama is headed back to its glory days.

Article SOURCE