More than 60 of Bermuda’s top bodybuilders will be strutting their stuff on stage at the 28th annual Night of the Champions at CedarBridge Academy tomorrow.

Organised by the Bermuda Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation, the event will be held in the Ruth Seaton James Auditorium and include seven different classes: women’s figure, fitness, physique and bikini, and men’s fitness, physique and bodybuilding.

The popularity of the event has soared in the past few years with the 600-plus tickets, which came available three weeks ago, being snapped up within 48 hours of them going on sale.

Muhsin Nasir, the national bodybuilding coach, believes the sell-out crowd are in for a treat with the quality of performers in this year’s line-up being particularly strong.

“This is the biggest competition since I’ve been on the federation and probably the highest quality line-up I’ve seen during my time,” said Nasir, who has been national coach for eight years and also works as a trainer a SeaView Ultimate Fitness Club on North Shore.

“As national coach I get to see a lot of our athletes during competition preparation and this is the most talent I’ve seen in a Night of Champions, so Bermuda bodybuilding is definitely on the rise.”

In the men’s bodybuilding category, Javaughn Dill will be defending his title against fierce competition, while Bernard Opoku will be hoping for a successive win in the men’s physique class.

“Everyone who knows me knows that when I compete, I give it 100 per cent and my one and only goal is to bring a better package each time I get on stage,” Opoku said.

“Anything else that comes with it is a bonus and I can only do my best.”

There will be a new champion in the women’s figure class with Sabrina Burgess choosing to compete in the physique category, while Nicole Tovey, last year’s fitness champion, has switched to the bikini division.

Tovey said she had tailored her training to focus “less on muscularity and more on balance and shape” since making the shift to a different class.

“I’ve competed in the [bikini] category a couple of times overseas this year and while I do miss the routine component, I’m really enjoying the change,” she said.

“This year’s training has shifted focus to showing a little less muscularity and more balance and shape, as bikini is all about that booty!

“I’m definitely happy with the work I’ve put in and I feel good. I’m looking forward to hitting the stage, and best of luck to all my fellow competitors.

“The hard work is done so it’s time to relax and enjoy the night.”

Prejudging will begin at 10am, while the main event starts at 7pm.