BIG NEIL BONAPARTE has won for two years straight, in 2010 and 2011, and will be looking for the hattrick when he competes at the Trinidad and Tobago Senior National Bodybuilding and Fitness Championships this Saturday.

The event returns to a night event, beginning at 8 p.m. at the Cascadia Hotel St Ann's. Last year the show had an early 2 p.m. start as a result of the 11 p.m. to 4 a.m. curfew restrictions which were in place at the time due to the Government imposed State of Emergency. Back then, Bonaparte and Kashma Maharaj and Neal emerged with the overall title.

Bonaparte faced tough competition last year and beat Kelton Thomas (Lightweight champion), Winston Christian Jnr (Light-middleweight champion), Dexter Carter (Middleweight champ), Masters champ Clinton Sammy and Light-heavyweight winner Todd Martin to win the overall title. And in 2010, Bonaparte overcame an eight-year absence to win the overall men's title, while Lisa Fernandez clinched the female version.

Judging from the high quality of competitors at the 2012 Junior National Senior Bodybuilding & Fitness Championships in June, the president of the local Bodybuilding Federation expects great things at this weekend's show.

"We have a good Junior Championships which was of a very, very high standard," stated president Susana Hadad.

"I also expect a high standard at the Seniors on Saturday. All the big guns will be coming out."

Saturday's event will not just crown the national champions, but will also serve as a warm-up for members of the Trinidad and Tobago team which will travel to Puerto Rico for the Central American and Caribbean Bodybuilding Championships from September 20-22. Some of the competitors expected to travel to Puerto Rico after competing at the Seniors are Bonaparte, Thomas, Christian, Damian George, Richard Noel, Shani Rocke and Michelle Alleyne. The 2012 Seniors will also serve as a qualifier to select the T&T team for the 2013 CAC Championships.

Upcoming bodybuilding competitions:

September 8: Senior Nationals, Cascadia Hotel

September 15: Muscle Masters, Sangre Grande

November 24: Cj's Muscle & Fitness, Penal

December 16: Fx Reloaded, Tobago