Preparations for the highly anticipated 2025 Roger Boyce Elite Pro Show, the English-speaking Caribbean’s premier elite bodybuilding competition, are moving forward smoothly ahead of next week’s tournament, according to Dr. Alfred Sparman, President of the Body Building and Fitness Federation (BBFF).
Scheduled to take place on May 16 at Barbados’ iconic Garfield Sobers Gymnasium, the annual competition has grown far beyond a simple athletic contest, emerging as a cornerstone event for the regional fitness community. In an exclusive interview with Barbados TODAY, Sparman shared that the federation remains proud to bring this elite gathering back to Barbados for another year, emphasizing the core values that the event embodies.
“This event presents far more than competition. It reflects discipline, hard work, healthy living, sacrifice and the relentless pursuit of excellence,” Sparman said. “We are honored to host this elite event and elite athletes coming from all over the region and internationally, while also showcasing the warmth and hospitality of Barbados.”
Beyond celebrating top-tier athletic achievement, the Roger Boyce Elite Pro Show plays a critical role in raising the bar for bodybuilding and fitness standards across the entire Caribbean. It also serves as a launching pad for emerging talent, giving seasoned and new athletes alike a platform to model dedication, resilience, and good sportsmanship for the next generation of fitness competitors.
“To all competitors I want to commend the commitment and the preparation they’ve brought to the stage,” Sparman added. “They have already embodied the spirit of champions. We also extend sincere thanks to our sponsors, organizers, judges, volunteers, and supporters whose contribution makes this event possible.”
Organizers are projecting a landmark turnout for 2025, with between 150 and 200 competitors expected to participate – a figure that continues an annual trend of growing participation. Sparman noted that the event has seen a consistent 25% year-over-year increase in athlete entries since its launch, and this year’s edition will draw competitors from as far afield as Spain and France, alongside top talent from across the Caribbean.
Sparman outlined several key factors that have driven the event’s rapidly growing popularity across the global bodybuilding community. Unlike any other large-scale bodybuilding competition previously hosted in the region, the Roger Boyce Elite Pro Show has drawn elite industry leadership, including the president and vice president of the International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness, who attend the event annually.
He credited the late Roger Boyce, the event’s visionary founder, with creating a world-class competition that has filled a long-held gap in the regional fitness calendar. “All of these islands now feel we don’t have to go to the States for a big show. We don’t have to go all the way over to Europe, we can come right here in Barbados,” Sparman explained. “At the same time, when they come here, we’ll showcase what we have here, this warmth and beautiful island that we live on.”
For this year’s athletes, the stakes are high: coveted pro cards will be awarded to winners across all competitive categories. Following last year’s tournament, which issued between 16 and 20 pro cards to qualifying athletes, the 2025 edition will offer the same opportunity for up-and-coming competitors looking to turn professional and advance their careers in elite bodybuilding.
In closing, Sparman extended an open invitation to local and regional sports fans to attend the event, saying, “We look forward to an exciting and memorable competition, and we invite the public to come out and support these outstanding athletes.”