Featured image by Paul Muah (Alonso Harmon posing at 2026 IFBB West African Championship).
On April 24, four athletes from the Liberia Bodybuilding & Fitness Association (LBFA) competed at the 2026 International Fitness and Bodybuilding Federation (IFBB) West African Championship held in Accra, Ghana.
This marks the fifth edition of the West African Championship. Benin, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Liberia, and Nigeria were present.
The national team performed in five of the seven championship categories. As a result, 27-year-old Alonso Harmon won two first place titles for Liberia and 34-year-old Leeroy R. Tagoe took third in his category.
Go Team Liberia spoke with the group about their journey and victory.
2026 IFBB West African Championship
Founded in 1946, the IFBB is an international sports body that promotes professional and amateur bodybuilding and fitness.
Competing at regional and national events is the only pathway to an IFBB pro card, which gives athletes the opportunity to represent their country on the global stage for international ranking qualifiers, larger monetary prizes, and bigger titles.
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Winners of the individual divisions and overall categories are awarded a pro card and must register within one year of their win.
Liberia competed in these five categories at the latest West African Championship:
- Men’s Classic Physique Up to 180cm – Alonso Harmon, 1st place
- Men’s Classic Physique Overall – Alonso Harmon, 1st place
- Men’s Classic Physique Up to 180cm – Leeroy R. Tagoe, 3rd place
- Men’s Bodybuilding Open – Ramsey G. Davies, 4th place
- Men’s Physique Open – Emmanuel Nohan, 5th place
View the official results here.
Harmon’s journey to becoming a champion
Like many Liberian youth, football was Harmon’s athletic start but after a serious injury he said he had to make a choice. He left the pitch and became a barber. While working, he met a man named Mendoza, a Liberian bodybuilder, who encouraged him and even paid for his gym membership, meals, and supplements. From then, Harmon competed in a Mr. Montserrado Strongman competition around the age of 19.
Harmon moved on to several different gyms and jobs over time. While working and training, he also created a social media presence by going live with workouts on TikTok. It was then that one of his followers brought IFBB competitions to his attention in January 2025.
He did his research which led him to LBFA and its president, Junda Morris. Then he started preparing for his first IFBB appearance. In April 2025, he attended the West Africa Championship for the first time and placed fourth.
After his Championship performance last year, Harmon was determined to come back to be nothing less than a champion. He shared with GTL his process between off season and peak competition week, “You have to bulk, condition, and diet. You just have to prepare yourself for it. Lift weights and also learn how to do the posing.”
In February 2026, he placed second at Mister Equinox International in Ivory Coast.
Two months later, Harmon stepped onto the IFBB West African Championship stage as a top contender and walked off with an IFBB pro card, opening the doors to expand his bodybuilding career and place Liberia further on the map. He claimed the up to 180cm Classic Physique title out of seven contenders and later won the men’s Classic Physique overall title beating Ghana’s Bright J. Holdbrook.
“To all my Liberian people, I want to say this is not the end. The journey has just begun. I need that support. That love. To push the game. To push Liberia out there,” Harmon said.
How Team Liberia made it to Accra
Not only was Liberia represented in competition, but also in support. The team arrived in Ghana by road with little means.
Paul Muah, a Liberian businessman and real estate developer in Accra, received a message from a friend asking him to check in on the team. Although Harmon told Muah everything was okay, Muah quickly realized the need was much more. Muah provided a two-bedroom apartment and purchased food, water, additional essentials, and daily passes to the local gym for competition prep.
Through his help, news spread quickly about the team’s accomplishments and additional needs.
A short GoFundMe campaign was launched to purchase return flights for the team including the coach and donations poured in. With the abundance of support, the campaign surpassed the initial goal ensuring the team made it home and had enough for post per diem.
“I learned so much about life and dedication from these young men,” Muah told GTL.
What’s next for Harmon and the National Bodybuilding Team
The five-member delegation received a warm welcome-back celebration hosted by the LBFA and Ministry of Information. Harmon is now preparing for bigger stages. Up next is the Roger Boyce Classic and IFBB Pro World Cup in Barbados May 16-17; participation pending.
Also, the LBFA is launching its first ever Children’s Challenge in Liberia on May 16 at Shadow Gym near SKD sports complex.