Young bodybuilders gear up for 2025 JABBFA championships
Novice and Junior competition set for June 28
Published:Wednesday | June 11, 2025 | 12:06 AMOâbrian Wynter/ Gleaner Writer
From personal comebacks to double-title wins, the 2024 Jamaica Amateur Bodybuilding and Fitness Association (JABBFA) Novice & Junior Championships showcased a rising generation of standout athletes, building on a standard that has steadily evolved over time. With a history spanning decades, the event has become a key launchpad for Jamaica’s fitness talent. This year’s staging is set for Saturday, June 28, at the Courtleigh Auditorium in Kingston, promising fierce competition and inspiring performances.
One of the standout athletes from last year’s Junior category was Hughgene Osbourne. In 2023, he finished last in his division, but in 2024, he returned with something to prove and climbed to second place.
“I shocked myself and even the people who doubted me,” Osbourne told Lifestyle. “After placing second, I then went to Nationals but fell back in that competition. I wasn’t ready mentally nor physically. But I won’t stop there though, my dream is to become Mr Olympia,” he added.
Audrey Allwood, president of JABBFA, shared that the competition plays a vital role in grooming the next wave of elite Jamaican bodybuilders.
“The competition is designed to cultivate young and new talent before they transition to the National Senior Championships,” she added.
Bryana Johnson, winner of both the 2024 Junior and Novice Bikini Wellness titles, described her journey as “life-changing”.
“It unlocked a version of me I now call ‘Bryana 2.0’. More than just a physical transformation, it was a mental and emotional awakening,” she said. “For years I battled depression and low self-esteem, but through this journey, I’ve learned deep self-love, discipline, and purpose and becoming the best version of me.”
Johnson is also preparing to compete internationally this year to represent Jamaica and earn her Professional Bodybuilding Card.
Helping others to transform their lives has become a passion for Johnson.
“The biggest shift came when I became a certified fitness and nutrition coach. I left my job as an operations manager to fully pursue this dream—both as an athlete and someone passionate about helping others transform their lives,” Johnson said.
Open to first-time competitors and young athletes under age 24, the event provides a supportive pathway to posing workshops, anti-doping education, nutritional support and mentorship.
For those who rise to the top, Allwood emphasised that their journey is just beginning.
“After top contenders are selected, winners go on to join the national senior team, with chances to compete at the Jamaica Invitational where we offer over $500,000 in cash and prizes. They also can eventually go on to dominate in the IFBB Elite Pro circuit, representing Jamaica at regional and international levels,” Allwood explained.
However, JABBFA’s long-term vision stretches beyond competition nights. With the aim of integrating intercollegiate bodybuilding competitions into schools and universities, the association is actively working to establish these programmes by 2026-2027.
“Bodybuilding strengthens athletes across all disciplines by enhancing power, endurance, and mental resilience, and our hope is to foster a new generation of fitness ambassadors while reinforcing bodybuilding’s role in overall athletic development,” Allwood said.
This year’s event, themed ‘Strong Roots, Stronger Futures’, kicks off at 7 p.m. with a schedule end time of 10 p.m.