CAMP FOSTER, Japan - The curtains opened and the crowd erupted with cheers as the bodybuilders took the stage. The athletes strutted around stage showing of their tremendous muscles, each one fighting to get to the front of the stage to stand out in front of the judges, giving the crowd an initial glimpse of the competition to come.
Bodybuilders from all over Okinawa showcased their talent in the 2011 Far East Body Building Competition July 31 at the Camp Foster Theater.
The 2011 Far East Body Building Competition was open to competitors Pacific-wide, said Gerald Q. Sharber, the athletic director at Gunners Fitness Center. There are several categories in which the bodybuilders can compete.
The women’s figure categories included 5 feet 4 inches and under, 5 feet 4 inches to 5 feet 6 inches and over 5 feet 6 inches, she added. The bodybuilding categories were lightweight, middleweight and heavyweight.
The men’s categories included masters, bantamweight, lightweight, light middleweight, middleweight, light heavyweight and heavyweight, said Sharber.
The competition included several performances including a guest performance by Philip M. Ricardo Jr., a professional bodybuilder.
During his performance, Ricardo jumped out into the crowed so the spectators could get a closer view.
Ricardo, a retired Marine, was eager to come out and give a show for the fans and competitors, said Sharber.
Each competitor, was given 90 seconds to showcase their bodies and perform poses for the judges.
“The main thing I look for is symmetry,” said Glen A. Morris, head judge and a 20-year bodybuilder. “If the competitor has a big upper body and chicken legs, it doesn’t look good.”
Morris said he also looks for muscle density, definition, tone and body fat on the contestants, which reflects their conditioning.
All this only comes with training. The main factors to consider when developing a competition body is diet and discipline, said Glenn. It takes a lot of discipline to go and work out daily.
Builders will even work out three times a day, he added. Each day focuses on a different muscle. Legs tend to be the hardest to get in shape for men and lower abdominal muscles for women.
The competitors went through a lot of training to get where they are, said Morris.
“I stick to a strict diet of chicken, salad and vegetables,” said Dana L. Allison, a participant in the competition. “I have been lifting, cardio and dieting for the last six months for this event.
It’s a very demanding sport and every once in a while you have to give yourself a cheat day to keep yourself sane,” said Allison.
A week before a show Allison depletes her water intake. This makes the definition in the muscles really stand out.
“This was my first competition, and it was very demanding,” said Allison. “It was all worth it when I got on stage.”
Overall Champions:
Overall Women’s Figure
• Josaline Brittingham
Overall Women’s
Bodybuilding
• Sally Tews
Overall Men’s Bodybuilding
• Kenneth Walker