Women’s physique on the local scene is now rising like a phoenix after Antoinette Downie, on debut, cracked the top ten of an International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness (IFBB) pro event in the United States last weekend.
Downie had a commendable tenth place in a high-class field of 28 in Phoenix, Arizona.
The 35-year-old nurse at the told the MIDWEEK NATION, she was pleased to have made an impact in a strong line-up dominated by Americans and Canadians.
“It’s a great feeling. My goal was to make the top ten and I have succeeded. This was a tough contest as some of the girls have competed at the Olympia.
“I enjoyed the atmosphere. You have to be seen by the international judges, so it was great to be out there. It was a great experience. I thought I gave a good account of myself,” said Downie, who returned home Monday afternoon.
New York’s Teresita Morales, winner of the Pittsburgh Masters Pro title, won Sunday night’s contest while second and third places were taken by Heather Grace of Colorado and Tamee Marie of Nebraska. Both Grace and Marie competed in this year’s Olympia.
“Its nice to hold your own among those girls. It is all about getting the experience and moving to the next level.
“Its been a long hard road for me and I couldn’t have done it without the advice and emotional support I received from Roger Boyce, Richard Waterman, and Ryan Nightengale. I can’t wait for next year. I would like to compete again in either February or March,” said Downie.
Downie is one of the most versatile athletes to have competed under the Barbados Amateur Bodybuilding & Fitness Federation (BABBFF) banner. She won the tall class in figure competition at the 2012 CAC Championships in Puerto Rico, and captured the overall women’s fitness competition at last year’s CAC Championships in the Dominican Republic that earned her a pro ticket.
She did most of her early training at Valley Fitness Zone in St George but in recent times, she enlisted with SUMMIT Pro Bodies to intensify her build-up for major competition.
Downie, the 2009 Island Fitness queen, made special mention of her son Daryan Jordan, DJ, who took third place in this season’s Junior Monarch competition in the 13-18 age group.
“DJ is a good son and gave me plenty of encouragement. He was there for me all the way,” she added.
Barbadian athletes had mixed fortunes in the Arizona capital as three-time Mr Barbados Lyndon Belgrave, failed to make the top 15 of the men’s bodybuilding 212-and-under division won by American Jose Raymond.
Lebanon’s Mohammad Ali Bannout captured the men’s open contest from American Johnnie Jackson.
