Pete Fancher is more than Floridas' NPC Central District Chair, member of NPC Board of Governors, publisher for a dozen years of Southern Muscle Plus Magazine and a bodybuilder who has competed in 62 shows. He is a compassionate and caring father, husband and friend to many. Twenty years ago Pete and his family lost their four year old daughter after a year long bout trying to win a battle against her brain tumor.
Sue & Craig Upson also join Pete in the conversation. Sue turned pro in figure at Junior Nationals in 2008 and made her pro debut this year at the Jacksonville Pro and went on to compete at the Dallas Europa and Atlantic City Pro and NEVER let on until after she had completed her
competitive season that earlier in the year she had been diagnosed with a brain tumor.
Together Pete, Sue and Craig share with us the commonality of their experience. Pete was in law enforcement, Craig a fireman and Sue in healthcare. They also share with us their thoughts on how we get the proper diagnosis, prepare for the worst and hope for the best and cope with the unthinkable in memory of Sara Fancher who as in the case of your fallen loved ones are not forgotten.
I'm pleased to announce we will be providing sponsorship through various forms of media support that may include a mix of web design, hosting, and site management, audio, photo, video and pr support for these ten IFBB and NPC competitors in 2010.
Having worked with each of these ladies in 2009 I've found it to be a pleasure considering their potential, commitment, dedication and spirits and I look forward to continuing to work together as they achieve further success in 2010.
Note: There will be additional sponsorships provided to athletes that we announce throughout the season drawn from our list of profiled athletes. As well we are proud sponsors for over half of Florida show promotions providing various bundles of media support services.
A movie featuring comic book figure Thor will begin filming in January 2010 and Australian Actor Chris Hemsworth has been cast to play the heroine's role.
Wouldn't a bodybuilder such as Dennis Wolf have been much more fun to watch in this roll "IF" he or some other blonde-headed bodybuilder could actually act! This is a fine example of how athletes with fantastic physiques need to consider acting along with modeling as opportunities such as this might come available. Post your thoughts in the forum LINK HERE
Has there been anyone more engaged in helping athletes get such attention than Brian Moss of Better Bodies Management? Here is a 1980's clip from his days when he promoted athletes in such a manner.
Tracy hosts chat with figure phenom and popular gal Ann Titone. This spry competitor took 1st in Class-C at Jr. USA's, 2nd at USA's, won her pro card at Team USA and went on to compete at the IFBB Border States & Kentucky Pro placing Top 10 in both!
The next bodybuilding, fitness, figure, and bikini competition party in Hialeah will be held by Sergio Pacheco & Mari Redondo on November 27, 2010. With the date set make your plans for this to be one of your last stops in the 2010 schedule in the beautiful Miami Florida area over the long Thanksgiving weekend.
Tim Tampa Pro 2010
Holy Cow! Check Out The Flyer!
Tim is wasting no time as it isn't even Christmas and he has his next years' show flyer up and ready to go! 2010 will be a great year in Tampa. Make plans now at www.pbwproshow.com
NPC Ancient City Classic
July 10, 2010!
Site updates have begun for the Ancient City Classic, but we will have to wait and see from Promoter Gene Schlossberg and Pete Fancher as to the specific date as July was quite crowded. However, I'm sure we can count on it being at Pedro Menendez High, host hotel being Beachers' Lodge and our regular compliment of vendors including Tony & Chris from Monsta, John Mier of Premier Physiques, Alisa and her Hot Spot Team, myself and others.
New Show In Florida!
NPC Atlantic Coast Classic Oct. 30, 2010
Our own community moderator Amy DeGiovine and her hubby Joe have jumped into the fire and are putting on their own NPC SHOW!
NPC Atlantic Coast Classic; Oct. 30, 2010.
Lots more information to follow!
NPC Southeastern USA 2010
September 18th Move Up Date!
Nearly an entire month early, but just in time for qualifying for the October NPC Nationals in Atlanta!
The sixth annual NPC Gateway Classic returns to Lake City, Florida put on by Future Fitness owner and co-owner of Monsta Clothing Tony Curtis. This is a terrific show in North Florida where more than a few corn fed locals rise through the ranks at this show to go on to win others and gain national prominance. We have updated the show date on the www.FutureFitnessfl.com website and encourage you to check it out to keep up with all the details of this show as they become available.
2010 Deke Warner Productions Scheduled!
With the best turn out yet with nearly two hundred competitors in the 2009 Florida State Championships, Promoter Deke Warner is well into preparations for the 2010 show along with the NPC Mid Florida. The show dates were confirmed Saturday and we have updated the basics at www.Dekewarner.com. More to come within weeks.
2010 NPC Gulf Coast Championships
The May 22nd show date is set for the 2010 NPC Gulf Coast Championships. Be sure to check out Matt & Bev's website at www.GulfCoastChampionships.com as we get more information on the site such as the schedule, special guests, entry forms, flyer, ticket info, host hotel and venue location.
2010 NPC All South
The NPC All South Championships is scheduled to be right on time as always with its regular spot the first weekend of November in 2010. Look to close out our season with a top caliber show and one of the last of the season in 2010. We will be bringing you more information throughout the course of the year about this terrific contest and the competitors who have been a part and who plan to participate and do it here and at www.AllSouthChampionships.com.
Jax Physique April 3, 2010
The new date has been set. The new venue is the Lazzara Theater at the University of North Florida (home of the Dexter Jackson Classic & Jacksonville Pro) and a new host hotel has been established. I've updated this information at www.JaxPhysique.com and we will be making additional updates as they become available. Dexter mentioned to me in Orlando yesterday that more information would be available possibly in a few weeks.
Note:NPC South Florida Championships Score Sheets posted in the "Scores Section."
When Will Repetrope Be Releasing the 2009 Version of "What Judges Are Looking For" Video?
On December 1 we contacted Dan Hall, owner of Repetrope.com & USAMuscle.com about the time table for releasing the the updated version of "What Judges are Looking For" video produced by him for the National & Florida arms of the National Physique Committee. In January and February this was a much ballyhooed taping that athletes were invited to attend and participate in to ask questions about changing emphasis for bodybuilding, fitness, figure and very importantly the new NPC bikini division criteria.
Dan responded back on Dec. 2:
"I've been keeping Peter updated on the release of the new "What Judges Are Looking For" video. Sandy Renalli wanted to re-shoot her segment on Bikini (which was re-shot at the Masters Nationals). We also recently did a re-shoot with CJ. As Peter understands, pushing these re-shoots well into the contest season has delayed the post-production on this video as our primary focus is covering the contests. Had all the shooting been complete in February, the video would have been completed soon after that. We are hoping for completion of this video within the month.
Sincerely,
Dan"
When Will Repetrope Be Releasing 2009 Women's National Contest Coverage?
We asked Dan Hall, owner of Repetrope.com & USAMuscle.com on Dec. 1 for the scoop on when they would have online availability of the women's participation in the NPC National Level Shows. I asked if they were maintaining their exclusive and if they planned to make available on their website the footage of the women who competed in 2009. They have men's shows up on their site through Masters Nationals.
Dan's Response on December 2nd:
"The videos from 2009 contests have been completed and already shipped to competitors and people who have ordered them from the contests and from our own customer list. We release the videos on our website for a wider audience as time permits, concentrating on the men's videos first since it is a larger market. The contest season just ended for us with the Nationals last week. We will now have time to concentrate on releasing the women's videos to a wider audience on our website.
Sincerely,
Dan"
FEATURED ATHLETE
Holly Belew
Figure Competitor
Holly Belew
Born in Waycross, GA
Currently reside in Blackshear, GA
Owner, Anytime Fitness - Waycross & Alma GA
Married
2 Children - Christopher, 18 and Hannah, 7
One Brother - Bob, Age 41
Age 37
Onseason weight 120 - Offseason 135
Best physcial attribute I would say is my arms
I have always been athletic but never played sports. Cheered for several years.
My husband and children have been very supportive and made the training process much easier even when I wasn't easy to get along with!! The support from family and friends made all the difference to me and kept me going.
The All South was my first competition and I placed first in the tall over 30 class.
I think I would like to compete in the open class next and see how that goes.
Seeing a competition for the first time in Orlando, Fl inspired me to compete. Getting older and seeing my body change (not in a positive manner!) made me want to challenge myself to see if I could get into competition shape.
The support the day of the competition from family and friends was so amazing. It's something I will never forget. Hearing them cheering me on was an awesome experience.
I have to thank John Mier who guided me every step of the way. Also, my personal trainer, Anna Champion-Kelly, who helped my perservere through a back injury (not a gym related injury). Without her there to push me each and every day and keep me focused and motivated, I don't know that I would have made it. She came up with some pretty creative ways to train to avoid any further injury to my back. I certainly have to thank my family and everyone at Anytime Fitness for all their support.
I suppose if someone wanted me to I would be available for modeling!
I do have a facebook account under Holly Belew and my email is hollybelew@yahoo.com.
-City of birth: Tallahassee, FL
-Current city of residence: Tallahassee, FL
-Career: Marine Corps. Enrolled in a commissioning program at FSU.
-Marital Status: Single
-Chilren: None
-Siblings: Younger Sister. Karilyn Few.
-Age: 23
-Onseason/offseason wght: 140lbs Onseason/ 155lbs offseason.
-Best physical attribute: Back
-Were you athletic as a child? Yes
-Have you gotten family support for your athletic endeavors as a child and today? How has that support or lack thereof impacted you? Yes, my family has always been supportive of everything that I do which helps a lot when times are challenging.
-When did you begin competing? I started competing in competitive weightlifting in high school. Then I transitioned into powerlifting after I joined the Marines. In 2007 I did my first bodybuuilding show while I was overseas in Japan.
-What is your competitive record? I placed 2nd in open bantamweight in my first two shows and placed 1st in open bantamweight in the All-South.
-What are your competitive goals? I would like to continue to compete and win open-bantamweight at the national level.
-What motivates you to compete? I love the sport of bodybuilding and working out in general. My job in the Marine Corps also requires me to stay in great shape.
-Most memorable experience in the sport to date? Placing 1st in the open bantamweight at the All-South 2009 which was my first NPC show.
-Special recognition or thanks to anyone? My family, friends and everyone who has supported me along the way. -Available for modeling? Yes, but would have to work around my school/military schedule.
-Contact information; fewdavidw@yahoo.com
The South Florida Championships Co-Promoter Mari Redondo shares with us all the plans for this year's November 28th show at the new location. Mari also shares a lot of the personal side about her's and Sergio's life and love.
Jax Physique Premier Year Overall Athlete Turns Pro!
Mr. Olympia Dexter Jackson and co-Promoter John Mier brought the Jax Physique on April 4, 2009 and noted the need to provide local support to aspiring athletes th.at might go on to bigger dreams. The show was a success and no greater proof was required than on Nov. 21 at NPC Nationals in Hollywood when the Jax Physique Overall Bikini Winner was crowned as the overall champion and became an IFBB pro. Jessica Anderson won that overall title in a still warm South Florida night after taking a Class E victory. Jessica has made some amazing improvements since she first competed in April. She went on to the Europa Orlando and took a second place spot in tough competition. She continued to improve her physique, changed to a more potentially more complimentary suit design and was dubbed the national champion seven months from her first on-stage appearance at the revived Jax Physique.
Here are some pictures of Jessica in those early months.
Click images for larger view
Remembering A Publishing Era
Florida Muscle News, Southern Muscle, and Southern Muscle Plus, were varied titles for one publication that was consistantly dedicated to the athletes that competed in the Southern U.S. featuring prominantly on its cover the overall winners of specific shows. It did not matter who you trained with or if you were friends with the publisher, had a contract with one of the magazines' advertisers or otherwise as the means for making the cover were simple, you had to be the overall winner at a show and stay for the group shot at the end of the night. What a cool sports-oriented concept that is lost on the rest of the publishing community. LINK TO DISCUSSION
FEATURED ATHLETE
Tammy Ulander
Women's Bodybuilding
Tammy Ulander
-Birthplace: Erwin, NC -Currently living in: Kissimmee -Career: Medical office management -Marital Status: married -Chilren: 3 -Siblings: 2 sisters -Age: 48 -Onseason/offseason wght: 106/114 -Best physical attribute: abs and obliques -Were you athletic as a child? yes. I was a cheerleader, gymnast and runner. -Have you gotten family support for your athletic endeavors as a child and today? Yes. How has that support or lack thereof impacted you? It helps motivate me to continue because not only do I not want to achieve my goals but I want my family to be proud of me as well. -When did you begin competing? August 2009 -What is your competitive record? I placed in all 6 shows that I competed in this season -What are your competitive goals? I would like to put on some muscle mass this winter and work towards competing in a National Show. -What motivates you to compete? I really enjoy exercising and I am very self-motivated. My alarm goes off every morning at 4:15 and I am at the gym when the doors open at 5 to get my work out in before going to work. It gets my heart pumping and my energy level up and the day is off to a great start. For competing, I am motivated by the changes I see in my body while I am training and I am also very motivated and inspired by other friends who also compete. -Most memorable experience in the sport to date? Winning the 1st place Masters trophy was awesome but some of the second places were great too. Another exciting evening was when all 3 of the competitors on our team won 2 trophies each! Team Body Architect rocks! -Special recognition or thanks to anyone? Thanks to my husband Brett for all his love and support and to my trainer, Brian Garcia for all the assistance in providing and helping me with my exercise routine, posing, and nutrition. -Available for modeling? yes -Contact information: I am on Facebook and my email is tammy.ulander@hotmail.com Tammy's Bodybuildingfitnessfigure.com forum link
HOLLYWOOD, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The big guns are loaded and the bombshells will be out in full force! The NPC Nationals returns to South Florida – this time at one of the classiest resorts in Florida – the Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa in Hollywood! With more than 500 of the ultimate bodybuilding, figure and bikini athletes from 50 states competing, it looks like the 2009 Nationals will be the biggest one ever!
This pro qualifier – each class winner qualifies for the professional Grand Prix tour – will be held right in the host hotel in the Westin’s Great Hall and is billed as the “BATTLE AT THE BEACH 2009” – where the best of the nation’s NPC athletes vie for their pro status, at the one event that sets the standard – the event that features the best from across America…and is the road to the Olympia! The sanctioning body, the National Physique Committee of the USA (NPC), the NCAA of competitive amateur bodybuilding, sanctions more than 1,000 events around the country, which lead up to this – its “crown jewel” and premier championship event.
Show hours are:
Men’s Bodybuilding and Women’s Bikini Preliminaries – Friday, November 20, 4:30 p.m. (Tickets $50 – General Admission)
Women’s Bodybuilding and Women’s Figure Preliminaries – Saturday, November 21, 8:30 a.m. (Tickets $35 – General Admission)
Finals for all Bodybuilding, Figure and Bikini – Saturday, November 21, 6:30 p.m. (Tickets $125 & $75 – All Seats Reserved)
IFBB Pro Tracy Mason hosts conversation with Female Bodybuilder Tami Bellon about their mutual sponsorship by www.NeedtoBuildMuscle.com and about Tami's recent National bodybuilding debut along with her plans for the future.
Carol Medina Video For The Getaway Times
Promo clip featuring Carol Medina in the gym and cruising and doing photoshoot with the Ft. Lauderdale International Boat Show going off in the background. This was prior to her All South Championships Overall win.
Florida Champion Cheryl Brown Takes Kentucky Pro 2010!
Big congratulations to IFBB Professional Figure Athlete Cheryl Brown on her first place win at the Kentucky Pro on Nov. 14th. Cheryl hold graduate degrees in exercise physiology and is owns her own successful personal training business in Central Florida. We here are happy for her and happy to have known her when she was one of the little people, lol.
2009 All South Championships
Figure Over 30
Short
1. Victoria Layne
2. Denise Connery
3. Deborah Singletary
4. Ray Bloser
5. Maxine Sonnenschein
6. Susie Torres
7. Michelle Straub
8. Jennifer Traver
9. Tracey Hensley
10. Farrah Sharp
11. Rita Faye Garrett
On November 13th athletes converged from around the country for the last national qualifier, the All South Championships in St. Augustine, Florida. The show drew eighty strong, physically fit competitors with only a few of the folks usually seen entering a show with the battle scars of having recently lost a lot of weight or much older masters competitors. There was no fitness or crossovers to boost numbers, but only eighty dried out sinewy bodies gathered in the oldest city to compete in one of the fastest running shows in Florida under Promoters Pete Fancher and Gene Schlossberg.
The competitors had from five till eight pm to check-in. No late entries allowed. Six additional entry forms were sent in, but no-show and no-compete. Saturday morning the competitors meeting started promptly at eight AM and after the athletes were informed of procedures, order of events, dos and don’t’s from Head Judge Deke Warner there was a forum with open questions and answers led by Pete Fancher. Athletes were asked about what got them involved in the sport as was Fancher. Laughter and gestures of shared experiences and love of bodybuilding permeated that classroom at Pedro Menendez High School. The judging panel included Deke Warner, Chris Eaddy, Tony Curtis, Jenny Tremblay, and Charlonna Stewart. Fancher expedited himself with help from Casey Daugherty.
Prejudging began at 10 am sharp as was scheduled and with eighty competitors was over by 11:30 am. Each class had fierce competition from figure, to the mens and women’s bodybuilding lineups. The quick run of the show seemed to favor the athletes who were then able to eat, rest, do photoshoots and enjoy some sightseeing.
There usually are no guest posers at the All South Championships for as Fancher has stated before the competitors are often in better shape than the off season pros they might pay to perform. There were however numerous IFBB celebrity athletes including Marcus Haley and Don Long who were there supporting their wives in the competition. Also numerous nationally qualified athletes were in attendance including Robert Habeeb who qualified recently at the Southeastern USA after a ten-year layoff. Habeeb sat in the front row cheering on athletes equally, which he justified with the explanation that all these athletes bust their asses and deserve our support. No wonder this guy is so popular!
It will be a few days before I’ve got the full run down from the score sheets, but a few of the winners included Joel Thomas of Macclenny, Florida a suburb of Jacksonville. Joel is a former Lake City resident and a young man in his twenties with huge potential with classic lines and incredible strength as an accomplished powerlifter benching approximately six hundred and fifty pounds.
The Peruvian Spoiler as I’ve come to call Carol Medina took another figure overall title with the Southeastern USA being her last a month ago. Carol grew up since childhood in the US, but as her immigration papers have been filed and refiled, caught up in clerical bureaucracy for a number of years she is unable to compete at the NPC national level. It is doubtless to few seeing Medina compete this year that she has a pro caliber physique, but she has sought to expedite the process through competing on the international level representing Peru. Officials there have directed her to win as many shows as she can with the 2010 Arnold Classic being the finale for consideration and acceptance as their representative for possibly the Central American and Caribbean Bodybuilding & Fitness Championships.
As for my own experience with the show this year I had fun with the camaraderie developed over the years with the judging panel that are mostly all show promoters as well whose websites I support. After weigh-ins Pete, Gene, Chris, Tony and family members in attendance had a terrific dinner together at Osteens’ a quaint restaurant in the heart of St. Augustine. Then on Saturday morning Allie Costantino, a bodybuilder currently living in Ft. Lauderdale, a former gym owner in Jacksonville assisted me shoot the show video, which enabled me to focus on photography. Ian Ware of IajePhoto.com had texted me Friday night that he would not be able to make the show as he had a torn gastrocnemius. I asked if that was near the butt in jest. He chuckled and clarified it was a calf muscle.
It was a joy seeing Gene Schlossberg get a Lifetime Achievement award presented by John Mier, owner of Premier Physiques who got his start with Gene while working at his World Gym franchise in St. Augustine.
Marcy Haeck made the trip up from the Space Coast Barbell team with trainer Amy DeGiovine who is herself one week out from NPC Nationals. Marcy competes in the tall class and surely fits the bill as one tall glass of water. Some will remember Marcy as the shotgun touting mama in our video series that we will likely begin taping again for in December with Tammy Piepenbrink and possibly a few IFBB celebrities such as Clarence DeVis and Candice Keene to drop the names of a few.
Michael Ives was in attendance representing the Masters Men and is such a fine ambassador for the sport. You can’t find a man more dedicated to the sport that Mike who has been bodybuilding since his teen years when his arms were crushed in an industrial accident and working out was a form of rehabilitation. His routine was performed to the song titled Smile that we plan to develop a backstage video production for at several of his shows in 2010, which Mike envisions as a tribute to bodybuilding camaraderie.
We hear people sometimes give what could be lip service to the camaraderie of bodybuilders backstage and there are athletes that merely want to get into their zone and focus on looking their best on stage. However, I was reminded of Michael Ives friendly approach during a photoshoot between prejudging and the night show with JC and Susie Torres a husband and wife pair of competitors in the 2009 All South Championships. JC commented to me how much he had enjoyed the prejudging as it was his first show and he appreciated the friendliness especially amongst the masters men he spoke with. There were words of encouragement and lots of hand shaking along with shared stories of shared paths that all led these men onto a stage under bright lights in skimpy posing trunks. I knew without asking that Michael Ives was one of these fellows as that is his signature as much as the postures he takes on stage.
Susie Torres was a joy to work with on our shoot with JC. She looks amazing and one would not suspect she had lost so much weight as her before pictures revealed, which surely makes her a Jenny Hendershott Phat Camp poster girl. It was fun watching people stop us in downtown St. Augustine wanting photographs with JC and Susie. I also enjoyed expounding on her sentiments that it is so important to be careful who ladies in the industry shoot with as one never knows where their pictures might wind up. Plus, as a photographer I couldn’t be happier to hear ladies like Susie stating competitors should do shoots when competition ready as there is only a narrow time in which most look so spot on and you should make the most of it. Yea, for ladies pimpin photoshoots, lol!
There are more stories to come from the All South Championships. So we encourage you to visit our associated sites including www.AllSouthChampionship.com and www.BodybuildingFitnessFigure.com a hub for your best source of information on Bodybuilding, Fitness and Figure in Florida.
Carol Savors Every Overall Victory
Through Thick & Thin Ladies Represented in Female Bodybuilding
Friendly Competition
Having a good time at the All South
Big Joel Goes All The Way
Peruvian Carol Medina Figure Overall
John Mier Presents Gene Schlossberg Lifetime Achievement Award
Suzie's Got Hendershot Trained Composure
First Competition? No Way! JC Torres
2009 All South Posedown!
Allie Covered the Show Videoshoot
Comets & Deke Warner At All South Championships Weigh In
There is a good turn out and line up of competitors for Saturday's competition and a pair of comets landed as seen in this photo with Judge and Promoter Deke Warner. The lovely Mrs. Haley a Team Body Techer is competing in figure. Marcus says he plans to focus on growing, staying healthy and only doing a few shows in 2010.
Pete Fancher is a bodybuilder, long time member of the NPC Board of Governors, former publisher of Southern Muscle Plus magazine, NPC Florida Central District Chairman, and Promoter of the Nov. 14th NPC All South Championships along with his partner Gene Schlossberg. Pete bills the show as being in the Oldest City St. Augustine, Florida promoted by the two oldest promoters. There is more to that statement than humor as these two men have been about the bodybuilding scene for many decades not only as casual observers, but competing on stage and everything imaginable related to sustaining the sport as promoters and officials.
After our interview Sunday at 2pm EST the show will be posted here at www.BodybuildingFitnessFigure.com. Tune in to get the details on this last national qualifier before the Nov. 21st NPC Nationals in Hollywood, Florida. It is not too late to sign up for the All South and throw your hat in the ring and qualify for Nats if you aren't already.
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Diana Stanbacks' Di-Fit Talk Show
With Special Guest Nita Marquez
Diana and Nita discuss Nita's "BE PHENOMENAL" boot camps and Nita's phenomenal multi-talented fitness and publishing career. Nita shared with Diana details of her new book FIT FOR COMBAT, how it came about and how the associated program can help you! Listen in here and to all of Diana's shows at www.DianaStanback.net! Plus find out more about the camps and all things Nita at WWW.NITASWORLD.COM
Tracy discusses her recent sponsorship news and hosts an exploratory conversation with Marilyn the creator of the competition color that is taking the sport and industry by storm LSR, Liquid Sun Rayz. If you haven't heard of it you will and listen in tonight here and at www.TracyMason.com for all the details. Liquid Sun Rayz is at the Kentucky Pro again this year, but she has products online you can book your appointments at www.liquidsunrayz.com
IFBB Bikini Olympia, Bikini Criteria & NPC Bikini 2010 Direction
The NPC Board of Governors meeting is coming up the night before NPC Nationals and surely the criteria for bikini competition will be discussed. IMHO It is what it is and whatever the leadership determines will pretty much be set in stone going into 2010. The criteria seems to have evolved through the course of the year and we see most every winner is wearing a butterfly cut bottom not some off the rack suit and even the stance, especially the butt shot with hand on hips and looking over the shoulder has seemingly become standard procedure amongst winners. The response from audiences as gone from laughter and applause to growns-of-desire to a scream of "Puta" at one recent show as those legs separate and the butterflies underside blossoms into full view and glory accompanied by a girlish over-the-shoulder look for either approval or something more sexual it might seem depending on test levels.
There is chatter about a possible IFBB Bikini Olympia as the ultimate prize for the top ladies. It should be interesting to see how the desired look to be rewarded plays out on the pro stage in 2010 as compared to what we saw at the local, regional and even national level in 2009. I've stayed out of the strip clups for many years now, but my thoughts are much more on them with the manner in which a minority of the bikini competitors act on the NPC stage. Surely the photographers will be approaching these competitors for more offstage shoots including nude work considering their sex appeal and mainstream look. Bikini has certainly added to the entertainment quality of the show. I'm personally very much looking to see what the next level brings along with the opportunity to mix in more shoots with bikini competitors myself. Who knows what the future holds.
Finals for men:
1st- Toney Freeman $10K
2nd- Craig Richardson $4K
3rd- Robert P $3K
4th- Kris Dim $2K
5th- Ed Nunn $1K
Darrem Charles Best Poser $750
Finals for the ladies:
1. Kristi Tauti
2. Cheryl Brown
3. Huong Arcinas
4. Julie Ann Kulla
5. Akane Nigro-Ismeal
Sacramento Pro Pre Contest Thoughts
Huong Arcinas is the Figure defending champ who comes into this contest getting the #1 number to dangle from her suit. Does it foretell a placing for her this year? Lots of ladies are looking to take home that first place spot and many of these ladies have been making the show circuit rounds this year honing their physiques and presentation. Allison Williams is in those ranks and surprised everyone with her much improved placing at the Ft. Lauderdale Cup. Will she do it again? Best of luck to Cheryl Brown who in her pro debut in Ft. Lauderdale took the fifth spot ahead of AJ. And good luck to Jeni Briscoe who I don't believe we have seen on stage at all this year.
Quite a few men in the mix that we don't often see in the states. Serdar Aktolga of Istanbul is competing and I don't believe we have seen him here. Khalid Almohsinawi of the Netherlands will be on stage in the states the second time with the first time being with an eighth place finish at the 2009 Atlantic City Pro.
Dave Palumbo's early assessment was "Don't count out ROBERT PIOTKROWICZ.........he could definitely be a threat to that top 3. I do agree that FREEMAN, DUGDALE, and NUNN should be the top contenders (with DARREM CHARLES as a possible trouble-maker)!" Follow the Play by Play at this forum link to www.RxMuscle.com
What a year it has been for Armenia born Grigori Atoyan. He earns his pro card this year at the USA Championships as a Super Heavy then steadily moves up the ranks from 17th in Tampa to 11th at the Europa Super Show to what could be a climax in his transplanted hometown of Sacramento. He had owned a few Muscle Max stores there and worked at many of the gyms in his earlier years as a trainer and or manager. He should be a hometown fav (See Stats In Forum).
Nov 7, 2009 IFBB SACRAMENTO PRO LINEUP!
BODYBUILDING
Aktolga, Serdar
Almohsinawi, Khalid
Atoyan, Grigori
Barrios, Jorge
Becht, Markus
Castagnet, Eric
Charles, Darrem
Cherry, Adorthus
Churchill, Rob
Dim, Kris
Dugdale, Mark
Faour, Aiman
Freeman, Toney
Jablonicky, Pavol
Karamanlakis, Emmanouil
Kjellstrom, Martin
Ntiforo, Jo Jo
Nunn, Ed
Piotrkowicz, Robert
Richardson, Craig
Sauvage, Frederic
Senior, Heinz
Kulla, Julie Ann
Nigro-Ismeal, Akane
Nunn, Kristin
O'Neil, Amy
Pratt, Ann
Roundtree, April
Roy, Sherlyn
Sanchez, Elvimar
Tauti, Kristi
Tothova, Alexandra
Turner, Terri
Valle, Waleska
Waples, Natalie
Woodle, Karly
2009 Southeastern USA Retrospective
Now that the show is a few weeks past and we have completed some of the video production and are moving forward with the final shows of the year we will begin uploading show segments.
IFBB Pro Bodybuilder Benincia (Beni) Lopez is a compact work of sculpted muscular beauty that at 42 years young resides in San Antonio Texas. Beni earned her pro status in 2007 with a Lightweight win at NPC Nationals. Beni is a former figure competitor and stays quite active sharing her thoughts and expertise with fans and competitors on various forums and from her www.myspace.com/wwwmyspacecomlilmama2 site and others. When might we see Beni on the pro stage again? She has competed twice and loves it. Be sure to listen and let’s find out!
The 2010 Jr. USAs moves from Charleston to the Houston Texas!
Promoter Tres Bennet teams up with Texas State Chairman Lee Thompson in 2010 to put on this popular show at the 1,155 seat capacity Stafford Centre Performing Arts Theater. The only thing that is constant is change and considering the growing popularity of the Jr USAs in Charleston one can only imagine what partnering with some Texans will do for the prestige of this show. Being more centrally located in the US and in a state known for great athletes and promoters the 2010 Jr. USA's should be something to behold!
Competitive Bodybuilder Tammy Patnode was victorious at the IFBB North Americans in earning her professional status in the lightweight class although she is anything, but a lightweight amongst the bodybuilding community. Tonight IFBB Pro Tracy Mason has Tammy as her guest to chat about her competitive career, winning at North Americans, diet & excercise regime along with plans for the pro stage.
DAYANA CADEAU CLASSIC 2009 A GRAND SUCCESS!
Dayana's Show came off without a hitch on Oct. 24 at the beautiful Miami Dade Auditorium with a terrific line up of competitors, guest posers Dexter Jackson, Darrem Charles, Bill Wilmore and numerous pro ladies as special guests. Check out the photos in the galleries PREJUDGING & Evening Show.
Dayana delivered possibly more than anyone could have expected with every amenity imaginable to make the event enjoyable and rewarding for athletes, fans and officials like. As Dexter Jackson noted in his comments after his guest posing this was a terrific first show and we expect it to grow each year and be even more successful.
Saturday, October 24, 2009 at the
Miami Dade Auditorium,
2901 W. Flagler St.,
Miami, Florida.
Guests scheduled include Mr. Olympia 2008 Dexter Jackson and Atlantic City Pro champion Melvin Anthony.
Event Schedule
Pre-Judging 10 a.m. and
Finals 7 p.m.
General Admission: (at the door)
$20 Pre-Judging
$35 Night Show
$50 VIP
As the first block of rooms filled Dayana added another hotel in the area the Marriott Miami Airport Hotel, 1201 NW LeJeune Road, Miami, Florida 33126.
Phone: 1-305-649-5000
Sue Upson's Post Surgery Update
This is Craig, Sue's husband writing on behalf of my little warrior. Now that I've successfully removed the 800 pound gorilla off my back I felt it was necessary to give all of you an update on Sue's current condition. Let me start by saying thank you for all the support we've received. The prayer chains, well wishes, emails, and edible treats(thanks Tuna Breath) have made getting through this trying time that much easier. The positive vibes Sue received made her feel empowered going into her fight and definitely impacted the outcome. Let me just say that working in the Fire Service I realized very quickly the term Brotherhood and its definition. It extends far beyond normal workplace friendships and in fact becomes a family away from family. These are people who are always there for you even in the most trying times. People you can trust and count on without even having to ask. In short you know these people got your back. The support we have received from Siouxcountry and its members is in fact a Brotherhood or some may say Sisterhood, but the definition is the same. I am proud to say that Sue and I are associated with all of you and the common bond we share in lifestyles.
Sue endured 10 hours of surgery on Wednesday, the longest 10 hours of my life, but the "Dream Team" of surgeons successfully removed all of the tumor. The facial nerve Sue was so worried about was undisturbed and is functioning perfectly. Unfortunately hearing in that ear right now is not functioning. On the positive side the auditory nerve was also intact and final prognosis on hearing is still undetermined so we are holding out hope as are the surgeons. Based on what Sue went through Sue was remarkably coherent in recovery although she was enduring extreme pain. She spent the night in ICU and we hope she gets moved to a regular room for further recovery today. Prospects look excellent. I will be giving further updates once she is moved and once she feels up to it I know she will be itching to post on here herself.
Again let me say heartfelt thank yous to God, family, and to you our brothers and sisters of Siouxcountry.
Sue turned pro in 2008 after competing in the NPC since 2003. During her inaugural year Sue competed with the knowledge that she had a brain tumor that require surgery to save her life. She put off the surgery until now and this October she will undergo the long and extensive surgery to save her life. Sue is an amazing example of strength and fortitude at such a young age. We wish her and her family the best.
2009 IFBB Atlantic City Bodybuilding, Fitness & Figure Championships 16th
2009 IFBB Europa Super Show & Supplement Expo 13th
2009 IFBB Jacksonville Pro 11th
2008 NPC Junior National Bodybuilding, Fitness & Figure Championships 4th
2008 NPC Junior National Bodybuilding, Fitness & Figure Championships 1st
2008 NPC Junior USA Bodybuilding, Fitness and Figure Championships 2nd
2007 NPC USA Bodybuilding And Figure Championships 13th
2007 NPC Gaspari Nutrition Jr. USA Bodybuilding, Fitness and Figure Championships 5th
Note: We have a "Prayer List" in the forum that include lists of competitors and their family members that can use our thoughts and prayers. Sue is among them. Let me make clear that Musclepapa John is no saint and I don't attend a particular church and often can't tell right from wrong it seems. However, I know there are powers beyond our control and have my own beliefs. One of those beliefs is that when good people put their minds, bodies, and spirits together for the right reasons we are apt to accomplish what we seek via what I feel in my bones is divine intervention. Whatever you believe I'd ask that you keep our friends, families, and acquantances in the sport in your thoughts and prayers.
Congratulations To All Attending Athletes
of the 2009
NPC Southeastern USA
Championships!
Habeeb Still the Life of the Party
At 43 Robert Habeeb returns to the stage taking the overall title at the NPC Southeastern USA. Habeeb had a convention center full of fans that included 2009 Mr. Olympia Dexter Jackson as he shouted “suck it up!” during the prejudging mandatory comparison posing. Habeeb was slow to get into his poses initially and may have felt rushed by the quicker pace of todays’ NPC show as compared to back in the day. However, he adjusted his pace accordingly and wowed the crowd with Super Heavyweight size, symmetry and conditioning that many have observed to be a bit lacking in the big boyz class in recent years.
Habeeb apparently hasn’t stepped on stage since 1999, which was something of a breakout year taking first place and overall at the Florida Championships and third at the USA Championships as a Super Heavyweight. Habeeb had a reputation for partying, but someone with tremendous potential having competed first at Southern States in 1995 and taking the overall title as a heavyweight. So now he is back as a 43 year old super heavyweight with some cute children and that same potential. Might we see Habeeb competing at Nationals this year? We will have to wait and see, but it could make things very interesting next month in Hollywood, Florida.
Fitness:
1. Amy Peterson
2. Carmen Larreal
3. Amanda Bridges
Figure:
Over 50
1. Jeanne Upchurch
2. Theresa Kresge
Over 40
1. Tamara Venditti-Rice
2. Marilyn Eliopulos
3. Irene Gonzalez
4. Joyce Whitney
5. Michelle Straub
6. Diane Irick
Over 30
1. Connie Owens
2. Nicole Kriser
3. Hazel Egiel
4. Ray Bloser
5. Debbie Gilbert
6. Carmen Larreal
7. Nikki James
8. Collen Clark
9. Dyane Alexander
10. Alicia Ross
Men Over 60
1. Bill Long
2. Lee Vierson
3. Joe Campbell
4. Arthur Elden
Men Over 50
1. Gregory Capitano
2. Matt Arena
3. Michael Ives
Men Over 40
1. Dan Johnedis
2. Scott Whitney
3. Eddie Ayala
4. Dean Brown
5. Chris Hill
6. Arno Nassban
7. Scott Marcus
8. Robert Crowley
Mens' Open
Bantam
1. Dean Brown
2. Eddie Ayala
3. Omar Morales
4. Brian Garcia
5. Derrick Shea
Middleweight
1. Arthur Kypriotes
2. Scott Goldstein
3. Brian Schmidt
4. Phillip Mariana
5. James Bock Jr.
Light Heavyweight
1. Billy Koepke
2. Elton Miller
3. Craig Gorham
4. Dan Johnedis
5. Scott Whitney
6. Linnie Spencer
7. Chris Hill
8. Ben Russell
9. Jay Rinehart
Heavyweight
1. Jason Holder
2. Phil Cooper
3. Greg Novachek
4. Miguel Sampo
Super Heavyweight
1. Robert Habeeb
2. Tim Abrahamson
3. Jimmy Williams
4. Rob Kennedy
5. Woody Davis
Womens' Open Bodybuilding
Light Heavyweight
1. Doris Shepard
2. Tina Horne
3. Tammy Ulander
4. Arlene Cummings
Middleweight
1. Aliva Terrell-Nill
2. Barbara Crowley
3. Joann Andrews
4. Cynthia Williams
Heavyweight
1. Marilyn Lajoie
Women Over 50
1. Joann Andrews
2. Arlene Cummings
Women Over 40
1. Doris Shepard
2. Tammy Ulander
Women Over 30
Cynthia Williams
Ninety three athletes brought their A-game to the NPC Southeastern USA on Oct. 17 held at the Buena Vista Palace property on Disney property in Orlando, Florida. Chris Eaddy and his new partner in the production out did themselves with a terrific venue and ammenities galore that resulted in their largest turn out onstage and in the audience to date.
There were a lot of other events going on in the area including the auditions for the new fitness oriented reality show that Gaspari and Chic are involved in putting on that some of the athletes actually auditioned for during the break between prejudging and the evening event. Plus, Biketoberfest was going on making for streets filled with bikers going to and from Daytona through Orlando.
The Southeastern USA 2009 was Mickey Mouse, but in a good way. The Buena Vista Palace is an extraordinary facility with room balconies overlooking the disney property complete with fireworks in the night sky. Several of our forum members attended and looked fantastic on stage and off. Amy DeGiovine, Carol Medina and Michael Ives all participated in the event and we had a lot of fun as friends supporting one another and reconnecting with people we'd not seen on the show circuit (since last time, lol) and meeting new people. Pete Fancher oversaw the judging panel, Jim Kaale was on board along with Deke Warner who has a new book for sale that I'll be loading onto his website in the coming days. Wait till you see the pictures of him competing back in '93! Awesome stuff!
Between prejudging and the evening show at the Southeastern USA we took some time to get together with Michael Ives and a Merideth and her pop who are producing a documentary on the sport of figure competition. Musclepapa John was doing his photoshoot with the Peruvian beauty Carol Medina who was the overall winner at the night show and Merideth videod interviews with Michael and Carol along with portions of the photoshoot.
It was a bit nerve wracking having the athlete actually working for hours leading right up to about 45 minutes from the evening competitors meeting, but Carol proves to be the consumate professional and takes everything in stride never showing (outwardly) in stress or strain from the pressures of competing or shooting.
Another sample of Carol filling the landscape with her petite and exotic beauty. Carol will be joining me to shoot interviews and do more photoshoots in a few weeks at the Ft Lauderdale International Boat Show where I'm sure her beauty will compliment the lines of the multimillion dollar Super Yachts!
9. Michele Mayberry
10. Victoria Larvie
11. Liza Hughes
12. Sandi Stuart
13. Bridgette Murray-Ward
14. Sandie Ward
DNF. Leslie Rae Newton
DNF. Susana Cacavieli
Pro Figure Results
1. Kristal Richardson
2. Erin Stern
3. Gennifer Strobo
4. Candice Keene
5. Cheryl Brown
6. Allison Jones-William
7. Rosa-Maria Romero
8. Marie Ann Newman
9. Tivisay Briceno
10. Rosalind Vanterpool
11. Kristin Nunn
12. Brandie Gardner
13. Chastity Slone
14. Natalie Waples
15. Heather Green
16. Petra Mertl
17. Aleisha Hart
18. Marcy Porter
19. Anna Level
19. Cynthia Sharp
19. Michelle Theison
19. Karen Williams
19. Tessa Wood-Thornes
19. Aliana Hernandez
Ft. Lauderdale Cup Pro Figure Winners
Ft. Lauderdale Cup Pro Fitness Winners
Congratulations To All The Winners At the 2009 Olympia
MR OLYMPIA
1. Jay Cutler
2. Branch Warren
3. Dexter Jackson
4. Kai Green
5. Phil Heath
6. Victor Martinez
MR OLYMPIA 202
1. Kevin English
2. David Henry
3. Eduardo Correa
4. Mark Dugdale
5. James "Flex" Lewis
6. Jose Raymond
MS OLYMPIA
1. Iris Kyle
2. Heather Armbrust
3. Debi Laszewski
4. Lisa Aukland
5. Yaxeni Oriquen
6. Betty Pariso
MS FITNESS OLYMPIA
1. Adela Garcia
2. Tanji Johnson
3. Tracey Greenwood
4. Julie Palmer
5. Tina Durkin
6. Myriam Capes
MS FIGURE OLYMPIA
1. Nicole Wilkins-Lee
2. Gina Aliotti
3. Heather Mae French
4. Kristal Richardson
5. Amy Fry
6. Meriza DeGuzman
Olympia Weekend & Lots of Muscle Media Choices
If you aren't in Vegas watching the show with your eyeballs the online community has plenty of options for you including play by play, streaming video live from the show, lots of recorded video interviews and onstage and candid photography. We list most of your principle options in our forum covering the media covering the event, lol. LINK TO OLYMPIA COVERAGE RESOURCES
First Day of Olympia & Feds raid Meridian online fitness retailer Bodybuilding.com
FDA says Bodybuilding.com has illegally sold supplements with steroids
BY BILL ROBERTS - broberts@idahostatesman.com
09/25/09
Thursday's raid followed a two-year criminal investigation into the company and corporate officers, including founder Ryan DeLuca, by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, according to search warrants filed in U.S. District Court.
The searches were conducted at Bodybuilding.com's headquarters at 2026 S. Silverstone Way, Meridian, and its warehouse off Gowen Road in south Boise, after two warrants were signed by U.S. Magistrate Judge Candy W. Dale, said Wendy Olson, an assistant U.S. attorney in Boise (continued).
On Wednesday evening between spray tanning sessions Betty Viana, the 2008 Ms. Olympia Runner Up shared with Diana details of her prep along with reflections on her history dating back to before turning IFBB professional at the 1997 Central American Championships. Betty competed for a decade in gymnastics, and as a pro-contemporary dancer and business school graduate.
The only female bodybuilder over 40 years of age to win the USAs and nationals in the same year, Rita Rae who turned pro in 2008 and recently made her pro debut at the Atlantic City Pro joins me on Di Fit Radio. Find out what makes this 25 year lightweight veteran of female bodybuilding tick as she shares her philosophy and a personal side.
Tracy Mason Show
with Rita Kaya this week!
What happened to FeminineBodybuilding.com?
I've been asked that question several times this week at the site is not loading as browsers time out trying to load it. I contacted Dan earlier in the week to find out what was going on and we talked a bit about it. As many know the site has been up for sale and I did have some communications with Dan about buying the site.
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