Bermuda has a good chance of walking away with a pro card at the upcoming Caribbean American Caribbean Bodybuilding & Fitness Federation Championships in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.This was the word from bodybuilding trainer Carmichael Bryan of Positive Results gym who is taking a team to Santo Domingo.The team left yesterday, and there are also other bodybuilders from Bermuda taking part in this event organised by the International Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation (IFBB).“There are a lot of athletes,” said Mr Bryan. “All parts of the Caribbean normally send participants. It is the biggest body building show in the Caribbean. This show allows the winner of the overall categories to earn their pro status.”Mr Bryan said at the last event, held in Puerto Rico, Bermuda did quite well with one person placing fourth, and Carolyn Erasmus earned a pro card in the women’s fitness category.“Tyrone James who will be competing in the men’s physique category is someone to watch,” Mr Bryan said. “He has a very strong chance of earning his pro title this year. This will be his second time competing. He won the overall in this category last year, but it was just for exhibition. It was the first year they introduced men’s physique. This year they are giving a pro card to the winner.”There are several categories including women’s bikini, men’s physique, classic body building, figure fitness and more. The Positive Results team has been training for the last year, but have gone at it with more intensely in the last six months.“We have been doing a lot of distance training, and cardiovascular work,” Mr Bryan said. “We have been dieting and conscious of high protein and high carbohydrates in our diet. It all depends on the individual because everyone’s body is different.”Mr Bryan earned pro status at the 2004 championships held in Guyana. There won’t be any prize money involved in the Santo Domingo competition, but the pro card is highly coveted.“It allows you to go overseas and compete as a professional bodybuilder among the elite of the sport,” he said. “As a professional you can also get sponsorship and earn money from competing.”The Positive Results team range in age from 27 to 49 years old.“It is mainly about physical appearance,” said Mr Bryan. “It is about how you look on the day. Age is not really a factor in winning a competition.”He said after big competitions like this ones, some athletes celebrate by going wild and eating all the treats and foods they couldn’t eat while training. Others get some rest and contemplate the journey.“It all depends,” he said. “It is a learning experience, and also a life changing one. It teaches you a lot about eating healthy. It also lets you know that the sky is the limit. A lot of athletes start out thinking they could never compete and today they are going strong. It helps you to believe in yourself. There are a lot of positives that come out of body building.”He thanked Positive Results for sponsoring and helping the team.“I also want to thank the bodybuilders’ families because training for this is not easy,” he said. “Family support is super important. The less stress they have, the better they respond to training.”