Show of muscle
Air Force claims 4 trophies

CPL Tristan Gallagher displays the form that enabled him to finish first in the Men’s Medium bodybuilding event.

CPL Heather Benyon, left, with other ADF competitors – CPL Eve Kawana, SIG Kelly Gambling and CAPT Elizabeth Stephens.

Photos by LS Philip Hunt

FOUR Air Force natural bodybuilders have flexed their form at HMAS Cerberus and taken home trophies. The ADF Natural Bodybuilding and Figure titles were held at the Southern Cross cinema at the naval base on June 7.

Corporal Tristan Gallagher, of RAAF Base Amberley, was first in the Men’s Medium bodybuilding event and second all up, while Aircraftman Ashley Muir, of RAAF Base Tindal, finished a close third in the Men’s event.

Also in the Men’s events, RAAF Base Wagga’s Leading Aircraftman Adrian Moore finished third in the Men’s Tall Figure. Meanwhile, the women proved they were no slouches when Corporal Heather Benyon, of RAAF Base Edinburgh, took the Senior class in the ADF Champion Female Figure event. The Air Force has seven competitors at the championships.

CPL Gallagher has always been interested in bodybuilding, but in 2003 he decided to set himself some goals and enter competitions. “I went into the titles last year and got the same result. In January I decided I would have a go at this year’s as well,” he said.

He commenced a 12-week high protein diet and a rigorous weight and cardio training session six days a week to keep his muscle tone up and lose fat. “I needed to get the fine look everyone’s after.

We are judged on symmetry (body proportion between the upper and lower body), muscle mass and definition.” The competition, which was strictly for amateurs, was divided into a range of male bodybuilding and female figure classes with classes divided into various height categories as well as veterans’ classes for men over 40 and women over 35.

The international Natural Bodybuilding Association judged the event and provided advice to the competitors. According to the titles organiser, Chief Petty Officer PT Mick Short, all the competitors thoroughly enjoyed the event.

“This is an amateur event and the competitors have worked hard to get here,” he said. “They feel a great sense of achievement and self-esteem to have made it. “The titles also make a great starting point for those who may want to move on into the much more competitive civilian competitions.”

CPL Gallagher is planing to compete in the Queensland State Titles in December and the ADF titles next year.

He congratulated the other competitors and organisers of the even for the high standards. “I was most impressed with the number of people who turned up and the very high standards they displayed. It was much higher than last year,” CPL Gallagher said.

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