Shameela Simmons and Tresca Trott both achieved podium finishes at last weekend’s Central American Caribbean Bodybuilding and Fitness Championships in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

The competition featured more than 350 competitors, with six of the island’s nine-strong team reaching the finals of their classes as Simmons came second and Trott third in the women’s figure class.

It was Trott’s second successive podium, having also finished third at the Arnold Classic Europe in Barcelona the previous weekend.

Also placing at the competition were Bernard Opoku and Karen Hodgson who both came fourth in their classes, the men’s physique and women’s fitness.

Julian Johnson finished fifth in the men’s physique and Melissa Smith sixth in the women’s physique tall class, while Deon Brangman, Cervio Cox and Susan Rebello did not make the finals.

Accompanying Bermuda’s athletes were Candy-Lee Foggo, the Bermuda Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation president, Muhsin Nasir, the Bermuda coach, and Wendy Dill, who along with Ranae Cann and Foggo served on the panel of judges.

“This was the biggest CACs with 354 competitors and it could have been more had some countries not got stuck because of the bad weather,” Nasir said.

“It was good experience for all of the Bermuda competitors and we were pleased to have six of the nine place in the top six.

“It was a tough competition for all of the countries and those [Bermuda] athletes who didn’t place in the top six were probably in tougher line-ups.

“We had four first-time competitors like Cervio and he just needs a little more time and experience before he cracks it as well.

“I think our guys need to take a short break if they have aspirations of competing overseas, so they can start prepping soon for those competitions.”

Ranae Cann, a BBFF senior executive, hailed Simons and Trott for their “flawless performances”.

“We didn’t take a very big team, but it was a team of very good quality,” she said. “We always anticipate that our athletes are going to do really well.

“Six of our nine athletes got trophies, so that’s a very good showing. I’m really pleased that some of our first-time competitors won trophies as well.”

Among those earning International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness pro cards at the championships was local policewoman, Marina Jean-Pierre, who represented St Lucia and placed first overall in the women’s physique class.

A pro card enables an athlete to compete at professional shows for cash prizes.