Danny Sumner continues to make inroads in the sport of bodybuilding and fitness in The Bahamas and throughout the region as an administrator.

Sumner, a former president of the Bahamas Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation (BBFF), now the Bahamas Bodybuilding Wellness and Fitness Federation (BBWFF), has been appointed as an honorary patron of the Central American and Caribbean Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation (CACBBFF).

Sumner is the most accomplished administrator in the history of the sport in The Bahamas. In addition to serving as BBFF president, he was a vice president in the CACBBFF for three consecutive terms and served as president of the Antilles region. He was awarded with the Gold Award at the Golden Anniversary 50th International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness’ (IFBB) CAC Bodybuilding and Fitness Championships in Palm Beach, Aruba, in 2023. The award is given to those who embody commitment and dedication and who played a significant role in the development of the sport in the region.

Sumner said he is humbled by the appointment of patron and looks forward to serving in his new capacity.

“It’s an honor. I’ve been involved in the sport a long time and to be recognized in this way is truly an honor. I’m humbled,” said Sumner. “All this means is that I will continue to be a part of the decision-making process. The bodybuilding fraternity has recognized me as being one of the most senior people in the sport in this area and for that I am grateful. I will continue to help with the development, promotion and education of the sport in this area. What they do is look for people who have been instrumental in promoting the sport. I’ve contributed a lot and I look forward to the challenge ahead.”

Sumner has been involved in the sport as an administrator for more than three decades. His appointment as a patron of the CACBBFF is a lifetime honor and ensures that he continues to serve as a regional executive, thereby representing the region at the world level.

“This is something that comes in directly from the IFBB Headquarters in Madrid, Spain, under the leadership of IFBB President Rafael Santonja,” said Sumner. “I was the first president for the Antilles region, and I was the one who oversaw the implementation of fitness into the sport regionally, and now they have wellness as well. I saw the need to promote more female involvement in the sport because a lot of women were losing interest in the bodybuilding aspect of the sport. That is where fitness came in, and I was one of those who were instrumental in pushing the women.”

Sumner served as BBFF president for a 10-year period in the early 2000s and was also a director in the CACBBFF in addition to becoming vice president. During Sumner’s reign as BBFF president, The Bahamas dominated at the CAC level, winning eight CAC Championships titles. The country was ranked as high as number one in the CAC region and was top 10 in the world. He is also a senior judge in the sport, receiving a Grade C certification. He has served as an official in bodybuilding and fitness at all levels, obtaining the highest level of experience and judging.

Sumner oversaw the advancement of a number of Bahamians to professional status in the sport, including Charles Kemp, Joel Stubbs, Natasha Brown, Jaye Darling and Grand Bahamian Dominique Wilkinson just to name a few. He said he is looking forward to the day when bodybuilding and fitness is included in the high school curriculum for physical education classes here in The Bahamas and also to the day when the sport is included on the Olympic schedule. The sport is currently not recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as an Olympic sport.

Sumner said he wants Bahamian athletes to continue to pursue their goals in the sport and to continue to aspire for greatness.