MARIGOT--Bodybuilding and Fitness Association of Saint-Martin (BFASM) donated water bottles to the Grand Case Junior Basketball Team Thunderz on Wednesday evening in J.C.’s Gym in La Savane as well as presenting its newest up and coming Bikini Fitness athlete, Saraly Keller.
Novice athlete Keller already placed second in the junior category at the International Federation of Bodybuilders (IFBB) Grand Prix in Miami and went on to challenge herself by competing with advanced amateurs, placing fourth in the senior Bikini category and third in the Pan American senior Bikini category. At the 50th Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Championships held in Aruba on September 20 to 25, Keller placed second in Juniors and eighth in Seniors.
“We have another promising pro athlete in the making,” said BFASM President François Carty of Keller. “We are now preparing to leave the island on Monday for Madrid where she will be competing in the Junior division of the Arnold Classic Europe on October 13-15.” Carty also introduced St. Martin’s first Bikini Fitness Pro, Josephine Elvina Matthew, describing to the gathering the dedication and hard work it takes to become a professional in the sport. Matthew will be the Nutritionist and Posing Coach in Madrid. An injury has prevented her from competing at the moment. St. Martin has another distinction to be proud of in that Carty is also going as an IFBB International Judge. He reminded of the support the Collectivité and St. Martin Tourism Office have provided over the years to make competing at international events possible. President of the Collectivité’s Sports Commission, Marc-Gérald Menard, congratulated Saraly on her achievements so far and noted the solid support of the association behind her.
“We are very proud of you guys when you go out to compete and represent St. Martin. We follow your results closely even if we cannot be out in the field with you at these events,” Menard said. “We do our best to support you financially.” Also introduced was Johnny “Big John” Hodge who is well known as a coach and for his boot camps. Hodge is a former bodybuilder who was trained by François Carty. “This is where I started, he pushed me a lot,” Hodge said of Carty. “We went all over the place competing. I have my training group today because of this man. He’s a good coach and always thinks positive.” The young basketball players train in J.C’s Gym. “Always listen to your coach and train hard,” Hodge told them. Carty disclosed the electrolyte drink XR is a new sponsor for the 2024 BFASM Inter-Island Bodybuilding and Fitness Championship.
