Kamel Dickinson has pushed his body to extreme limits pumping iron in the gym over the past year.

Even on days when he is not up to it, the 33-year-old has religiously stuck to his rigorous training regiment in pursuit of excellence in his chosen sport.

Now he is hoping that all of the dedication and sacrifice pays off during the International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness Pro League Caribbean Grand Prix Bermuda at the Ruth Seaton James Centre for the Performing Arts at CedarBridge Academy on Saturday.

“I’m praying that it will be all worth it,” said Dickinson, who trains at Positive Results Gym. “I started prepping last December, so I have been pretty much prepping all year and it’s kind of tough.

“A lot of people don’t even survive this long because it’s draining enough just to do one show let alone three shows in year and not three shows that are relatively close together but three shows that are spaced out over the year.

“Some people have trouble getting up and going to the gym every day for a week and I have been going to the gym six days a week for practically the entire year.

“To mentally be able to get up every day and go to the gym and have to work out is tough.

“It’s not just physically draining, but also mentally draining.”

Dickinson is competing in the men’s physique and has huge incentive to put his best foot forward as the overall winners of each class will earn IFBB pro cards.

“I would love to get a pro card, especially after this long year I’ve had,” he said. “This would be the icing on the cake if I can achieve that.”

Dickinson is optimistic over his chances for success but knows he has his work cut out competing against some of the world’s top amateurs.

“I honestly think I stand a good chance, but at the same time you just never know who is going to show up,” he said.

“There are no easy shows and you can’t underestimate anyone.”

Dickinson is going into the event on the back of an impressive third-place finish at March’s Arnold Classic Worldwide event in Columbus, Ohio and second-place finish at September’s Joe Weider’s Olympia Amateur Las Vegas.

Saturday’s IFBB Pro League Caribbean Grand Prix Bermuda begins at 5pm and features athletes competing in bodybuilding, classic physique, men’s physique, figure, bikini and fitness.

Competitors will be judged by a five-member panel, which includes Steve Weinberger, regarded as IFBB’s leading judge.