Firefighter, beautician crowned 2026 bodybuilding champions

Firefighter Kevaune Thomas took top honours in the men’s division at the 2026 Jamaica Amateur Bodybuilding and Fitness Association (JABBFA) Novice and Junior Championships, held last Saturday at the Courtleigh Auditorium in St Andrew.

Twenty-seven-year-old Thomas, a firefighter with the Jamaica Fire Brigade for more than six years, secured first place in Men’s Physique (tall class) before going on to claim the coveted Overall Men’s Physique title. On the women’s side, Kemi Richardson, proudly representing western Jamaica, secured first place in the Women’s Fit Model segment, Women’s Bikini Fitness (tall class), and went on to win the Women’s Bikini Fitness Overall category.

Thomas told The Gleaner that his victory was the result of resilience, sacrifice, and unfinished business. He revealed that after competing last year and falling short of his expectations, he and coach Richardo Daniels returned to the drawing board, determined to improve. That commitment paid off this year. “I felt very excited and pleased due to the hard work I put in over the past year,” Thomas shared.

Balancing an intense career in public service with competition preparation was no easy feat. After long and exhausting shifts as a firefighter, Thomas would head straight to the gym, where discipline became his daily routine. He credited consistency, mental readiness, and conditioning as the key ingredients to his success, noting that his abs, obliques, and overall sharp physique helped separate him from the competition.

Like many athletes, Thomas had to adjust his habits. “The diet part gets hard when it is competition season. I had to give up fast food, pastries, parties, and alcohol during preparation,” he stated. But for him, the reward made it all worthwhile.

His message to young men considering bodybuilding was simple and honest. “If you find interest in it, do it. It is not an easy sport, but you will love it, especially when you achieve your dream physique you have been training so hard for.”

With the national championships only weeks away and an international show already in discussion, Thomas made it clear that this title is only the beginning. “It’s back to the drawing board again for me and my coach. Nationals is a few weeks away, and we are going to try to fine-tune my physique some more, and we have an international show in the pipeline further down in the year, which I’m excited about,” he shared.

STUNNING PERFORMANCE

In the women’s division, Richardson, a 30-year-old entrepreneur and owner of Crowned By Kemi, stunned the field with her performance.

Travelling from Montego Bay to compete in St Andrew, she admitted that initially, she believed she would be at a disadvantage against competitors with home crowd support. Instead, through preparation and undeniable presence, she won over both judges and spectators. “The victory was very special to me,” she said. “I had to push through pain, step out of my comfort zone [and] break away from that shy introverted persona. The girl I used to be would have been incredibly proud of the woman I have now become,” she stated proudly.

Richardson had a strict routine, between training four days per week and completing daily posing sessions, waking up at 5 a.m. for workouts, preparing six meals nightly, and drinking five litres of water each day. She sacrificed activities she loved, including tennis. Even when her body tested her one week before the competition with bloating and discomfort, she refused to quit. Instead, she remained consistent and trusted the process.

“A week out of the tournament, I felt that my body was starting to work against me,” she said. “Even though I was following my diet plan, my digestion was off, my stomach became bloated, [I was] in pain and uncomfortable. It was a frustrating time that mentally tested me. However, I didn’t allow it to break me. I trusted the process, stayed disciplined, and kept showing up every day. That experience taught me resilience and showed me that even when things don’t feel right, being consistent will carry you through.” That mental toughness, combined with guidance from experienced former champions and trainers, gave her the edge needed to secure victory.

Her message to Jamaican women interested in competing and challenging themselves was powerful: “You don’t have to be the loudest person in the room to achieve something great. Start where you are, stay consistent, and trust yourself. Over time, you’ll build not just your body, but your confidence, too.”

o’brian.wynter@gleanerjm.com