PHILIPSBURG—The St. Maarten Bodybuilding and Fitness Association (SMBBFA) is sending three athletes to the upcoming Ben Weider Caribbean Classic to be held in Aruba on August 4-6, 2017.
President Martina Rodney Jones said the original intention was to send a team of seven, three females and four males, but due to injuries, work commitments, and lack of sponsorship, it was narrowed down to three.
Going to Aruba are Desmond Patterson and Nicolas Boyd in the Bodybuilding categories, and Ashlon Cicilia in Male Physique. The athletes will be accompanied by Interim Coach Elias Jones and Delegate/Judge Martin Wilson.
“It’s another show and another chance for bodybuilding and fitness athletes to attain the highly elusive Pro Card,” Rodney Jones stated. “This show will be on a higher level than the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) which will be held in Mexico next month and once again we are hoping to represent St. Maarten proudly.
“Whereas athletes from the CAC countries are the only ones eligible to compete at the CAC, the Ben Weider Classic is open to all International Federation of Body Building (IFBB) affiliated national federations, so the competition is going to be vast and tough.
“Our athletes will be going up against the best of the best but I am glad that they are given this opportunity to take part,” she continued. “It’s a good experience for them to have a change of scenery rather than going up against the same competitors at CAC practically every year.
“We are looking forward to them representing St. Maarten to the best of their ability. As much as we are hoping that each advances to the finals which is medal contention, top six, and an honour by itself, just the fact that they are taking this journey and stepping on that stage at this prestigious event makes us proud.”
