In a bold and inclusive move to expand the appeal of bodybuilding in Jamaica, the Jamaica Amateur Bodybuilding and Fitness Association (JABBFA) has introduced a new category for its 2025 Novice and Junior Championships – the Fit Model division. The announcement was made at Thursday’s official press launch, held at the Jamaica Olympic Association Headquarters on Cunningham Avenue in Kingston.

The championships, scheduled for June 28, 2025, at the Courtleigh Auditorium, will mark the first time the Fit Model category is contested in Jamaica, as the association continues to evolve the sport to be more welcoming to a broader demographic.

Speaking with Sportsmax.TV, Angela Brown Johnson, JABBFA’s Gym Secretary and Chief Judge, explained the vision behind the innovative new category.

“The Fit Model category is for athletes who are toned, who are in the gym, have an athletic look, but who don’t want to develop that level of leanness or muscularity as with other categories,” she said. “It’s a beginning stage of the women’s category in terms of muscularity, and the aim is to provide a softer, elegant style to the show.”

Designed as a blend of athleticism and runway-ready appeal, the Fit Model segment emphasizes not just physical conditioning, but confidence and poise. Competitors will be assessed on symmetry, posture, and presentation, in addition to their muscle tone and proportionality.

“The category comes in two parts,” Brown Johnson explained. “The first round is a one-piece bikini — more modest than the traditional two-piece — and the second round is an evening gown segment. The gown is specifically designed with a slit to show off toned legs, and a low back to display back development. But the key is that the athletes shouldn’t be overly muscular.”

Scores from both rounds are combined, and the overall winner will be crowned Miss Fit Model of Jamaica.

JABBFA President Audrey Allwood believes the introduction of the Fit Model category will significantly widen participation.

“I think the Fit Model will bring in more young people and more persons of interest because it’s not a muscular competition,” she said. “You have to be toned, you have to show that you work out, but the idea of wearing a one-piece makes it feel so much safer. If you’re shy about a two-piece, you get to wear a one-piece — so it feels more accessible.”

Allwood noted that early response has been promising.

“We already have a few people showing interest,” she added. “But once we broadcast it, once we really put it out there, even more people will come in.”

The 2025 Novice and Junior Championships serve as the cornerstone of JABBFA’s “Season of Bodybuilding”, a national initiative aimed at nurturing tomorrow’s champions and promoting holistic wellness. The event is structured to give athletes at various levels a platform to compete, gain exposure, and develop confidence in a professional setting.

The Novice category targets beginners and first-time competitors who have never won a senior national title or an international competition, offering developmental athletes a chance to hone their craft. The Junior category is open to competitors under 24 years old, encouraging early involvement in the sport and promoting healthy lifestyles among youth.

Other categories to be contested include Bikini Fitness, Body Fitness, Women’s Physique, Men’s Physique, Classic Bodybuilding, and Bodybuilding.

With the addition of the Fit Model category, JABBFA has reaffirmed its commitment to inclusivity and innovation, ensuring that bodybuilding in Jamaica continues to evolve in line with global trends while remaining grounded in discipline, performance, and personal transformation.