Bermuda flexed its muscles at last week’s Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Bodybuilding and Fitness Championships in the Dominican Republic.A 15-strong contingent came away from the three-day event with an impressive 12-medal haul that went some way towards putting local body building and fitness on the world map.Among those standing proudly on the podium was reigning Mr Bermuda, Javaughn Dill, who improved upon his previous showing at the annual event after placing third in the men’s light weight body building division.Jefta Miller and Deon Brangman placed fourth and fifth in the men’s classic body building division, while Marina Jean Pierre-Wilkinson finished sixth in the women’s bodybuilding category.Shameela Simons finished runner up in the body fitness ‘C’ category (up to 168cm) while Sabrina Burgess and Kim Cumberbatch were second and fifth in the body fitness ‘B’ category (up to 163cm). Welma Steede placed sixth in the body fitness ‘C’ category (up to 168cm) respectively.Eston Rawlins and Yves Paul placed fourth and fifth in men’s fitness while Nicole Tovey finished runner up in women’s fitness.Hafid James was fifth in men’s physique (over 175cm).Of the athletes that represented Bermuda, all but three earned medals. The top six in each bodybuilding, fitness and physique categories were rewarded with medals.Team Bermuda consisted of members from Seaview Ultimate Fitness Club, Olympic Club, Positive Results, The Athletic Club, Police Gym, and ToneZone.Team members were selected by Bermuda Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation (BBFF) following last month’s 26th Annual Night of Champions Night of Champions at Ruth Seaton James Auditorium.BBFF President Candy-Lee Foggo gave Bermuda’s impressive showing the proverbial thumbs up.“The experience was a great opportunity for veteran athletes to improve on their previous CAC performances and an opportunity for new competitors to be exposed to the quality of athletes found at international competitions,” she added.Ms Foggo said Bermuda’s athletes lived up to expectations.“Team Bermuda met our expectations as we had selected our team with the intention of making top six in the respective categories,” she added.Ms Foggo singled out the inspiring performance of Mr Rawlins.“Eston Rawlins performed an impressive fitness routine, performing splits on stage after he was told by doctors following an injury that he would not be able to,” she said. “It was a true inspiration for what the sport can do.”Reigning Mrs Bermuda, Susan Rebello, was among the handful of local athletes that failed to reach the finals in their respective division.“Susan had a tough category,” explained BBFF Vice-President and assistant coach Melanie (Goldielocks) DeRosa. “It was an open category so she went up against both light and heavyweights mixed all up in one.“Most of the girls were actually taller and larger than she is. But she worked hard and had a good showing. It would’ve been nice if it was separated, but she did really well.”Ms DeRosa added: “It was a very big competition with over 200 athletes from 29 countries. The venue was excellent and it was a very successful show and a very successful showing for Bermuda.“We thought that this team was very successful and are very proud of the whole team, even those that didn’t make it to the top six. They all went out there and worked it and represented Bermuda very well so we are very proud of that.”Accompanying team Bermuda to the Dominican Republic were head coach Mushin Nasir, delegate Dwayne Hill and BBFF senior executives Ms Foggo and Ms DeRosa.