Bodybuilders flex muscles
July 24, 2000
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PO Karow in action. |
The contest, called "Millennium Muscle 2000", was held at the Southern Cross cinema in CERBERUS.
The competition is believed to be the first of its type in the Australian Defence Force.
Interstate defence force competitors were invited to participate, attracting four competitors from NSW and one from the ACT.
The other seven competitors were locals from CERBERUS.
The competitors were in great shape as they flexed and presented themselves to the judges and the audience.
The professional judges realise that novice defence force personnel are exhibiting themselves on stage for the first time, and were not too critical of the contestants.
"The CERBERUS event should be viewed by the competitors as a celebration of great personal achievement, therefore there are no losers here tonight, only winners," INBA president Wayne McDonald said.
In the women's figure divisions, defence civilian, Jennie Wood (CERBERUS) won the short category.
SMNCIS Zenith Dunstan (HARMAN) had trained consistently and had practised her posing techniques at every opportunity to present an athletic shape to the judges.
Zenith won the medium category and Navy spouse, Saffron Anderson (CERBERUS) won the tall category.
Saffron has been working hard in the CERBERUS gym to present a trim, tall and well-defined shape on stage.
Zenith Dunstan finished off the night by taking the overall womens figure competition trophy.
All of the women competitors are to be commended for their professional attitudes even though it was their first time in a figure competition.
The men's classes were dominated by the interstate competitors.
PO Dave Illingworth (WATERHEN) won the short category, AB Matthew Batchelor (ALBATROSS) won the medium category, AB Michael Reduch (ALBATROSS) won the tall category and PO Marty Karow (CERBERUS) won the senior category.
Special mentions go to PO Dave Tanner (PENGUIN) who presented an extremely "cut" physique and WO Ray Cooper (CERBERUS) who is the only competitor to have competed in all three CERBERUS competitions.
WO Cooper is getting bigger and leaner each year and should do well in civilian organised events.
PTE Kenneth Locker (Army), PTE Nic Lawler (Army) and CPO Mick Harris (Navy), all from CERBERUS, are to be congratulated for competing.
All of their hard work in the gym, their attention to dieting and great presentation did not go unnoticed.
The overall trophy in the men's category went to HMAS ALBATROSS as AB Matthew Batchelor won the overall prize from AB Michael Reduch, also from ALBATROSS.
Other events on the program included a guest-posing routine from INBA female figure champion, Suzy Lesbon, and a presentation from Australian bodybuilding legend Don Mahoney.
"I've competed in bodybuilding events all over the world, but one thing is for sure, I've never before seen so many contestants have so much fun as they have done here at CERBERUS tonight," Don Mahoney said.
"It's just great".
Other guests from the professional bodybuilding world commented that the event organised by the CERBERUS physical training staff is up there with the pro events and the enthusiastic and vocal CERBERUS crowds are simply the best.
Master of ceremonies, PO Paul Dayman, ensured that the event proceeded well and on time.
This type of event is regarded by many as a "show", as it is held indoor in an auditorium, it is unique, and is very entertaining.
The whole event went for two hours so the program was non-stop.
The show is deliberately planned do be fast paced and entertaining.
The promoters are already organising the 2001 competition and it is gearing up to be the best defence force event of its type.
The competition is open to all service and defence civilian personnel and the organisers are encouraging interstate competitors from other defence force bases to enter.