By Ben McLeod
(Source: CNW)
Barbadian professional bodybuilder Lamar Coward delivered a standout performance on the global stage, finishing second at the 2025 International Fitness and Bodybuilding Federation (IFBB) Pro World Championships last weekend in Póvoa de Lanhoso, Portugal.
Competing in the Classic Physique division, Coward posted a total of 16 points across three rounds, securing a podium place at one of the sport’s most prestigious events.
Narrow margin at the top
Coward’s score included six points in the opening round, four in round two, and six more in the final comparison. That total left him just behind France’s Maxime Ratier, who claimed the world title with 11 points. Portugal’s Duarte Gomes completed the top three.
Reflecting on the competition from Italy, where he is currently spending time following the championships, Coward told the media house Weekend Sport that his silver-medal finish was the product of deliberate adjustments made earlier in the season.
“I came second at the Roger Boyce Classic in May, and after that I knew some changes needed to be made,” he said.
For the first time in several years, Coward turned to outside guidance.
“I actually hired a coach this time around. I’d been coaching myself for the last few years, but this prep I worked with Darren Farrow from Ireland through J3U Coaching.”
Trusting the process
Handing over control, Coward explained, was a natural evolution rather than a leap of faith. He described bodybuilding as “a long-term experiment,” where progress often remains invisible until weeks, or months, later.
“A lot of the preparation comes down to the last few weeks, when you start seeing the hard work pay off, but you’re not always sure of the path,” he said.
“Coaches help with the plan and the reassurance, based on experience.”
Built for the moment
Entering the championships, Coward carried quiet confidence, bolstered by the addition of roughly 20 pounds of muscle to his frame, a calculated response to feedback from previous competitions that he believed would enhance his competitiveness.
The 2023 Roger Boyce Classic Physique champion also leaned on experience, noting that the pressures of the big stage no longer disrupt his focus. By the time his name is called, his posing routine is already firmly set in his mind.
Presentation remains a defining element of Classic Physique, and music selection played a key role in Coward’s performance. For Portugal, he adopted a more classical tone, choreographing his routine to Vivaldi’s Winter, a choice he felt best showcased his physique and transitions.
Reading the stage
Coward acknowledged that final announcements always bring tension, but experience sharpens perception.
“You can kind of size up guys faster,” he said.
“Based on the posing, pre-judging, and how they shift you around in the final comparison, you get an idea, okay, I’m in the middle next to this guy, so they’re comparing us for first or second.”
At one point, Coward allowed himself to believe the top spot was within reach. When he was ultimately announced as runner-up, the feeling, he admitted, was “almost”, but one that carried both satisfaction and motivation.
For Lamar Coward, the silver medal represents not an ending, but a clear signal that he remains firmly among the world’s elite.