Bermuda’s national bodybuilding team had a strong showing in the IFBB 2012 Central America and Caribbean Championships.The ten-member team placed fourth in the region in the annual event, with individual members racking up two class wins, four second place finishes, and three third places.Bronze statues went to figure fitness competitors Sabrina Burgess (Class B) and Ranae Cann (Class D), as well as bodybuilder Susan Rebello (lightweight).Silver statues were captured by Nicole Tovey in the fitness category, Shameela Simons in figure fitness Class C, Sueallen Lottimore in women’s bodybuilding (heavyweight), and Jeftha Miller in classic bodybuilding.Nine of the ten athletes in this year’s team achieved top three finishes with one, Caroly Erasmus, fulfilling a long-held dream to reach professional status.Ms Erasmus won the women’s fitness category and, after many years of training and competing, was awarded her internationally recognised Pro Card by the IFBB judges.“Since I started competing four years ago, professional status is what I have aspired to,” she said. “There were setbacks along the way … but the setbacks and hard times only made me stronger and hungrier to accomplish my goal.“I’ve always believed that anything is possible through the Lord, who strengthens me. Thank you to everyone who played a part in turning my dream into a reality, and a very special thank you to my trainer, Carmichael Bryan.”The other big winner in the team was newcomer Hafid James, who now has a legitimate claim to owning the most impressive male physique in the entire Caribbean. Mr James swept the competition off the stage in the first ever CAC men’s physique competition, taking the gold statue and stamping Bermuda into the record books.Said Mr James: “This is truly a great achievement, something I worked hard for; but even with all my work I cannot stress enough how grateful I am to family and friends, the Sea View Gym, [Bermuda Bodybuilding Federation], and to my coach Ross Caesar.”BBBF president Candy-Lee Foggo and team coach Muhsin Nasir were both very pleased with the team’s performance. Members had to compete against 152 of the region’s best fitness athletes, representing 22 different countries. With all that raw muscle on display, Bermuda finished behind only Barbados, host nation Puerto Rico, and Curacao; a wonderful achievement indeed.