Bodybuilder Chico Babon hit the ground running after securing a silver medal on his professional debut at the Tampa Pro in Tampa, Florida, last week.

The Bermudian used the show to gauge himself competing in his first International Fitness and Bodybuilding Federation pro event and got more than he bargained for after finishing runner-up behind Jason Theobald in the masters classic physique division.

“This was my debut as an IFBB pro and decided to do the Tampa Pro, which is a pretty big show, and with all the work and stuff I came out and placed second in the masters classic physique, so that was super exciting,” an elated Babon told The Royal Gazette.

“I had no expectations. A pro debut is to see what you need to actually thrive in that league, so I was actually looking for more of a scorecard, feedback and advice.

“It was definitely nerve-racking but once I got on stage and it was showtime and time to do battle, everything fell into place.

“The athletes in the back were super cool. Everyone knew it was my pro debut and definitely made me feel comfortable back there.

“A lot of them I have been following for years as motivation and now I am getting to compete with these guys on stage which is actually surreal. But they made it easy.

“In bodybuilding when you’re battling, you are trying to battle and stay close to the middle. When they did the preliminaries and I was closest to the middle, I knew already that I was in the top five, so that was a clear indication until we came back out to battle again and I placed second.

“I was super excited and more surprised than anything. But if you put in the work it’s going to show — and it showed. I am just grateful I got a high placing on my first time as a pro.”

Babon’s podium display has both inspired and whetted his appetite for even more success moving forward.

“It’s definitely inspiring to actually keep pushing forward,” he added. “This sport is putting together the perfect package for your body, so there’s always tweaks and things that can be done.

Babon has made a significant step up from the amateur ranks since earning his pro card at the 2021 NPC Worldwide Pro Qualifier Caribbean Grand Prix in Bermuda.

“It’s major changes and when I got to Tampa in the athletes’ meeting and looked around at all the athletes, I was like, ‘I shouldn’t be here’,” he said. “A lot of them I have been following for years as motivation and now I am getting to compete with these guys on stage.

“This is like a whole other level. The level is different, but that’s why I got my pro card and it’s a great challenge.

“You can’t always be on top and it actually gives you something to push forward, keep your head down, keep working and then once it’s time just have fun and go ahead and do it.

“It’s been a smooth transition and you can definitely tell that it’s a significantly different level from amateur to pro.

“It’s nice and is something to strive for because you can’t always be on top.”