Former Cayman track-and-fielder turns to bodybuilding

Former Caymanian national track-and field-athlete, Rhymiech Adolphus, fresh off a good showing at the NPC Dexter Jackson Classic in Jacksonville, Florida is hoping to pursue a bodybuilding career.

Adolphus, 35, recently competed in the True Novice class, earning a bronze medal in a field of 22 athletes.

“It was my first competition,” Adolphus told the Cayman Compass. “It was overwhelming, to tell the truth. I didn’t go for the third, I went for the first, but that’s just the mindset you [must] have. Don’t go halfway, go 100%.”

It’s not the first time Adolphus has won a medal for Cayman. He began training in athletics back in 2004 and competed at several events, including the 2013 Islands Games where he earned a gold in the 4×100 metres relay along with David Hamil and twins Carl and Carlos Morgan.

Adolphus credits his success at the NPC Dexter Jackson Classic to the time spent in track and field, noting that it was a process that has stuck with him and the way he lives his life every day.

“I thank God so much to be able to have participated in track and field because it made me into who I am today,” he said. “The focus, the determination and the sacrifice all came together.”

Adolphus said leading up to his first bodybuilding event, he made compromises with his family in order to train for the better part of 10 weeks alongside head coach Samuel Plouffe.

“[Plouffe and I] talked about the plan,” he said. “I have a little child. So, some days I trained 1 o’clock, 2 o’clock in the morning. It was a big sacrifice; I did cardio in the morning and lifting in the evening. The last four weeks, it’s like you want to quit.”

In addition to his bronze medal, Adolphus placed fifth in the Master Open 35+. He added that following the competition, the judges advised him to make improvements for future events.

“I spoke with the judges, and they said I needed to gain more muscle,” he said. “So, that’s my focus now, getting more lean muscle.”

Adolphus continues to prepare at World Gym on West Bay Road, with hopes of registering for the International Federation of BodyBuilding and Fitness event next year, noting once that’s completed, he will try to get his pro card.