Bernard Opoku and Nicole Tovey will be vying for pro cards at the IFBB Olympia Amateur event held at the Orleans Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas today.

Both competitors are representing Bermuda, with Opoku participating in the muscular men’s physique category while Tovey is in the bikini class.

Tovey is relying on her previous experience at events in the United States to give her the edge at the prestigious Olympia Amateur — the first to be held in the US.

“I have competed in a couple of US shows this year so I’m used to that and will make some last-minute adjustments to my posing routine to account for that format,” said Australian Tovey. “I expect it will be a tightly run show.

“This is my last competition for the season so the pro card is a high priority. It would be amazing to finish up the year with a bang!

“It’s been a long year of continuous prep and this will be my sixth competition this year, so I am definitely ready to give my body and mind a break and head into a productive ‘improvement’ season and, if all goes to plan, the next competition will be as a pro!”

Opoku said he was pleased with his preparations ahead of the competition.

“I feel good, relaxed and ready to have fun on stage and honoured to be representing Bermuda in the first Olympia Amateur in Las Vegas,” said the Englishman. “I’d like to thank the [Bermuda Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation] for allowing me to do this.

“I have been working hard with my trainers Dwayne Outerbridge and Muhsin Nasir to bring an improved package to the stage with fellow training partners DeVon Bean, Cervio Cox and Karl Brown always pushing each other to ascend to the next level.”

Opoku and Tovey both competed at the Arnold Classic in Ohio in March. Tovey finished second in the bikini open class at that event.

Mark Simons, the Bermuda Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation, took to Facebook to wish the pair good luck in Las Vegas.

“Please join the BBBFF in wishing Nicole Tovey and Bernard Opoku the very best of luck when they compete in the Olympia Amateur competition in Las Vegas,” he wrote. “This is the first time the Olympia Amateur series will be held in the US.

“The BBBFF is 100% behind Nicole and Bernard and look forward to seeing them both on one of the greatest stages for our sport.”

The Olympia Amateur event, featuring seven categories, is being held in the 850-seat Orleans Showroom and is open to competitors from the National Physique Committee and all IFBB-affiliated National Federations across North America, South America, Central America and the Caribbean.