First Pro Show Under My Belt
It is clear to me that I should have activated this blog in the weeks leading up to my WNBF Pro Debut. However with the anticipation of competing with the pros for the first time and the focus that I had in my trainin for this event I think I let my vision narrow a bit. Anyway, I am here now, and I plan on keeping this blog up to date as I move away from this past weekends show and toward Pro Show number 2!!
So, a little recap of this past weekend. The competition was held in Evansville Indiana, it was a WNBF Pro event, "WNBF Mid America Championships", and it was a first year show. For that reason, I had some concerns that the Pro mens line up might not be super competative, but lets face it, this is the WNBF, and these Pros are some of THE most competative physiques in the natural circuit. Regardless of my concerns, I showed up to find out that there were some big names and solid physiques present. World Class competitors like Tony Ruffin, Kurt Weidner, Roy Perry, and Martin Daniels just to touch on a few came to bring the quality of competion up a notch or two. For a first year show, the Mid America Championships were a stand out event. 21 total pros in the Mens division came to vie for the overall, and the heavyweight class winner Martin Daniels looking like an absolute freak was able to beat out the lightweight class winner, Tony Ruffin, to walk away with the overall trophy.
As for myself, I was able to secure a top three placement, which as this was my pro debut, I was very pleased with. As mentioned, Tony Ruffin took first in the light weights, and Vaughan Twigger landed second with quite possibly the most dominant set of lats I have ever seen…just unbelievable, his lats to waist ratio was simply stupid! There was a moderate seperation in points between the top three competitors, not a huge spread, but enough to make the placements clear cut. However there was a significant point spread from third to fourth (9 points), making my top three placement secure.
Honestly going into this show I had obvious confidence in myself, as any good competitor must have, but I maintained a level of concern with how I would handle the pro ranks. This is a different class of competitor now, and as such, there is now room for flaws in your physique or presentation, you have to be spot on.
The venue was awesome, the majority of Natural Bodybuilding shows are held in the most embarassing of places, school auditoriums, simply b/c there is just no money in the natural side of the sport (a topic/rant for another post!!), but this show was held in the Evansville Victory Theater. A beautifully crafted and maintained high end venue that just underwent a multi-million dollar renovation. It was refreshing to come compete in a show where there wasnt little kids fingerpaintings posted all down the hallways.
As usual, I was able to connect up with friends and competitors that I havent seen since the last show, or longer, and as usual I met a whole host of new competitors that continue to blow me away with how nice and genuine they all are. I maintian that the athletes that I have met over the years in the bodybuilding world are some of the nicest and coolest people I have ever been exposed to.
It was great to meet and talk with some of the pros that I have been following since I started competing back in 2004, like Kurt Weidner, and Tony Ruffin. And to meet up and joke around with guys from past shows and whatnot like Duke Bell, and Layne Norton.
This show had all the elements for me to be just an awesome experience; great people, great competitors, great venue, well run, and of course…great placement for me! lol
I have decided that I will compete in one more Pro Show before I go into a slightly extended off season. In just over 5 weeks I will take another crack at the stage in Kansas City and the WNBF International Championships. I am very excited for this one, as it has been around longer, has a great reputation, and as such will bring in a slightly more competative class of competitor. I am eager to see how I will stack up against a little bit deeper of a line up. But having just competed, I have a lot of feedback and things to go on to make my next outing that much better. It was clear to me that I brought my best package ever to the stage this past weekend, and I fully believe that in 5 weeks time I will move past that and take my physique to even new levels.
I would just like to mention in here quickly, that my girlfriend Judy is one of the critical reasons for my success this past weekend, with her taking care of my tan, food, and every little thing, I probably would have stressed out and burst a blood vessel!! lol, but with her help, the entire weekend was a breeze and completely smooth running for me.
Also, show promoters; Dr. Joe Klemzcewski, and Sean McCauley deserve some credit for pulling off an unprecidented success for a first year Pro show. Cant wait until next year.
