Shakira prepping for Brazil

National bikini fitness queen Shakira Doughlin is embarking on what should be another hectic season by making her first appearance of the year next month at the Brazil Amateur Elite Pro Qualifier slated for March 9 to 11.

She will leave on March 1 for Goiânia, the capital and largest city of the Brazilian state of Goiás.

“Preparation for my first contest of 2018 is going great. I have found new ways to improve and manage myself better towards my goals,” she said.

“I’ve had to make a necessary adjustment in show selection due to circumstances beyond my control, so my first contest will be in Brazil, a week later from the contest I had planned to participate in initially.

“2017 was definitely a year of learning and growth and amazing support from Zephirin’s Bakeries Inc., Surfside Wellness Centre, Mocha Hair Designs, Dumbbell Dolls, Animekon, General Distributors, Signia Finance Inc, the Powerlifting Association and my family, coaches and close friends. This year I am working again to get support from other companies who are capable of supporting me in representing my country at the elite level,” she said.

The 28-year-old primary school teacher will face a field of more than 30 entrants, most of them expected to come from host country Brazil, Argentina and Chile.

No competitor under the Barbados Amateur Bodybuilding & Fitness Federation (BABBF) banner has been as busy as Doughlin over the past few seasons. In the last two years, she has made 18 appearances on the stage – 11 in 2016 and seven last year. This year will be no different.

“I have taken this approach because I was attempting to [get] more exposure on the international stage. Preparing for the global stage requires plenty of work and dedication and I have had to compete very often to make an impact. This year, I may opt to do the same number or closer to five contests,” she said.

Doughlin will be in Brazil twice this year, as the BABBF is expected to send a team to the Arnold Classic Brazil in April.

“This should be good prep for me. The plan is to improve at every turn and make impact. I am very determined to make my country proud and do my very best,” she added.

Last year was her successful season to date. On her first appearance of 2017, she cracked the top 15 of the Arnold Classic Brazil and followed with third places at the Amateur Olympia in Las Vegas in September and the Ben Weider Legacy Cup in Toronto in October. (MK)