Bermuda’s bodybuilders made their presence felt at this week’s Joe Weider’s Olympia Amateur Las Vegas.

Of the seven athletes that competed on the big stage at The Orleans Hotel in Nevada on Thursday, five placed in their respective classes.

Leading the charge was Kamel Dickinson, who placed second competing in the men’s physique class to continue his meteoric rise in the sport.

The 32-year-old, who trains at Positive Results Gym, had targeted a top-three finish going into the prestigious event and managed to live up to his expectations.

Also securing a top-three finish was Melissa Smith, of Beast Gym, who placed third competing in the women’s physique class.

The 33-year-old’s latest feat follows right on the heels of her title winning exploits competing in the same class at last month’s 32nd Annual Night of Champions at City Hall.

Sheldon Effs had an outstanding debut at the event as he placed fourth competing in the masters physique class.

“The performance was good,” he said. “It was a lot more than what I was expecting in terms of the competitors. The competition is definitely harder and I wasn’t expecting it to be as tough as it was.

“But overall it was a good experience and definitely something I will do again in the future.”

Effs, the Bermuda men’s physique champion, was one of two local athletes that placed in his class as Ultimate Fitness Club training partner Sunder Singh placed right behind him in fifth.

“It was a good achievement for me placing in the top five,” Singh said.

“It was a like a blessing and is a proud moment for me.

“I am very humbled and very honoured to represent Bermuda.”

Also among the local athletes placing was Susan Rebello, the multiple Ms Bermuda champion, who finished fifth in the women’s physique class A.

“I am happy to have made finals, especially at an Olympia Amateur,” said Rebello, who also trains out of the Ultimate Fitness Club. “My goal is to improve for the Caribbean Grand Prix in December.

Also competing was Lloyd Scarlett and Marvin Babon who missed out on reaching the final of the men’s physique and classic physique classes respectively.

Effs, Singh, Smith, Scarlett and Babon all competed under the Bermuda Body Building and Fitness Federation banner while Dickinson and Rebello competed on their own.