Belize made a powerful statement at Garage Games: Edición #21, one of the premier fitness competitions in southeastern Mexico, as Belizean athletes traveled to Mérida, Yucatán, on May 30 and 31, 2026, and returned home with an outstanding result.
Leading the charge were Johann Marin, owner of Next Level Training in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, and fellow Belizean athlete Anthony Coc, a member of the training box. Competing against a strong field of athletes from across the region, Marin captured 1st Place in the Intermediate Division while Coc secured 2nd Place, giving Belize a remarkable one-two finish on the podium.
For a country as small as Belize, accomplishments like these continue to show that our athletes can compete with the best in the region when given the opportunity. The achievement is especially meaningful for San Pedro. Having just recently established his fitness center last year, Johann Marin has worked tirelessly to build a fitness culture through Next Level Training, helping countless island residents improve their health, strength, and confidence. Seeing him stand atop the podium is not only a personal victory but also a reflection of the hard work, discipline, and dedication being cultivated within the local fitness community.
Equally impressive was Anthony Coc’s performance. As a member of the Next Level Training family, his second-place finish highlights the depth of talent emerging from the island and the effectiveness of the training environment being built right here on Ambergris Caye.
What is Garage Games
Garage Games has grown into one of the most recognized functional fitness competitions in southeastern Mexico. The event brings together hundreds of athletes competing in a series of challenging workouts designed to test strength, endurance, skill, and mental toughness. The 2026 individual edition took place at the Complejo Deportivo Kukulcán in Mérida, Yucatán, attracting competitors from across the region. The competition featured multiple categories and two full days of intense workouts, known in the fitness world as WODs (Workouts of the Day).
According to organizers, Garage Games was created to build community and push athletes beyond their limits, growing into an event that now hosts hundreds of competitors annually and has become a major fixture on the regional fitness calendar.
Belize Continues to Raise the Bar
The success of Johann Marin and Anthony Coc at the Garage Games was part of a broader Belizean presence at the competition, with several athletes traveling to Mexico to proudly represent the Jewel. Their performances continue to demonstrate how much the fitness community in Belize has evolved over the past decade. What was once considered a niche sport has developed into a thriving movement, producing athletes capable of competing and excelling on international stages.
For San Pedro, this result is another reminder that world-class talent can emerge from our small island community. Congratulations to Johann Marin on capturing the Intermediate Division title at Garage Games and to Anthony Coc on an outstanding runner-up finish. Both athletes represented Belize with pride, determination, and sportsmanship. And if this year’s results are any indication, Belize’s fitness athletes are only getting stronger.
