Jay England celebrates her championship. (Natural Physique Alliance)

By Nigel Maxwell

Health and wellness

Prince Albert bodybuilders flex at provincial competition

Sep 15, 2025 | 4:34 PM

A number of athletes from Prince Albert have flexed their hard work at Saskatchewan’s largest bodybuilding competition.

The Golden Prairie Cup was held on Saturday and Sunday in Saskatoon. Jay England won the overall natural wellness championship.

“My heart is so filled,” she said in a social media post. “This was a dream of mine and to say I pushed myself beyond limits I knew existed these last five months leading up to this is still an understatement. I’m proud, I’m happy, I’m satisfied and I’m unbelievably grateful.”

The event marked Christine Canning’s first time on stage and while she had no expectations, she won two overall championship titles.

“My passion for the gym started in Grade 9 of high school, but I didn’t start taking it seriously until my second year of university. In that time I started dreaming about what it would be like to see myself looking like a bikini competitor on stage but didn’t see it as a near-future goal. Then, I saw a girl from my hometown win in her first competition and it made me realize it was something I could do as well,” she said.

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Christine Canning. (Canadian Physique Alliance)

Canning is now focused on going to Nationals and seeing how far she can go in this sport. She acknowledged preparation and training required dieting for over 20 weeks to lose body fat and this was done during her summer break from university. The further she got into prep, Canning realized the amount of cardio increased and food got lower, which caused her energy levels to keep getting lower.

“I did this all while working two summer jobs for up to 12-hour shifts to be able to pay for competition, posing practice, and workouts everyday after getting off work.”

Marya Nielsen, 20, also made her debut on stage and finished first in two open categories, and second in another.

“This achievement for me personally has shown me self growth and amazing opportunities for myself and my future, showing my past self that I can continue to grow and achieve what I put my mind to,” she said.

Nielsen has only been seriously bodybuilding for three months, but has been attending the gym for about a year and a half. She said her decision to start competing came after influence and support she received from some peers.

“My favourite part about training was the discipline and my coach being by my side throughout the entire thing in the amazing support that I’ve had. The biggest challenge was overcoming something my past self would not do.”

Marya Nielsen. (Canadian Physique Alliance)

Jessie Funk. (Canadian Physique Alliance)

Nipawin’s Jessie Funk was also attending her first competition and finished first in bikini novice, 1st in true novice and third in open class. The 34-year-old said the achievement represents a goal she’s wanted since she was 19.

“It means that I made a point to finishing my goals and making it too the finish line. My inspiration to compete was stepping on stage to showcase all the hard work and dedication it takes to make it to stage. My inspiration to train for this is was definitely my family. I could not have made it through prep with out them.”

Funk said she plans to complete again in two years, noting a desire to add more size to her muscles.

“I want to inspire people to follow their dreams and show people anything Is possible.”

Also competing from Prince Albert was Jacob Dutchak who finished first in the novice division, and second in the open class. Alex Janvier won masters classic physique and masters bodybuilding champion 55+.

There were over 90 competitors at the event and they travelled from all over Canada.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @nigelmaxwell