Pro/Am Contests Blog

The last bodybuilding show held by members of the 25th Infantry Division out of Schofield Barracks, Hawaii was on May 23rd, 2008.  But on the evening of November 23rd, in Camp Taji, Iraq an astounding 30 competitors from all over Iraq came to the former ammunitions base to show off their “WMD’s.”  This time we had five weight classes for men and a figure class for women.  What made this show so amazing is that not only did personnel come from all over Iraq, but the amount of camaraderie was exhilarating! This is what the military is all about, no, not just staying in shape and looking lean and mean, or ridding our nation of terrorism, but everyone coming together, with teamwork, motivation and unity.  On the night of the show not only were there Army enlisted personnel, there were officers, warrant officers, and civilians.  

The competitors were thrilled with the donations from bodybuilding.com!  Several IFBB Professionals such as Ronnie Coleman, Leo Ingram, Shawn Ray, Jonnie Jackson, Gunter Schlierkamp, and upcoming bodybuilding star, Hawaii’s own Shavis Higa donated autographs for the show.  The soldiers couldn’t have been more excited with the contributions that were provided for everyone.  Judges from the show even donned the BB.com Logo t-shirts to go with their Army Combat Uniform Trousers.  Patrick Dugan, was our Master of Ceremonies, he recently completed a two year tour in Iraq, and is on his return home to his family probably as your reading this article now.  Dugan, has an amazing accomplishment of his own, during his time in Iraq, he has lost an amazing 60 pounds.  He had a goal to just life a healthier lifestyle.  By simply changing his eating habits and light weight training he was able to meet such an incredible goal.

Some of the contestants were even repeat competitors from the last show. Master Sergeant Granderson Alexander, competed in the previous Camp Taji show, and one first place for bantamweight.   The trip was well worth it for Mr. Nathan Blythe.  He came in from another site in Iraq just to compete.  He is the winner for the lightweight class.  Sergeant William Hill placed second in the previous show, but this time with his incredible gains, he placed first in the middleweight class.  Sergeant Terence Gadson, was contemplating signing up for the show.  Excellent choice on his part!  His compelling symmetry earned him first place for light-heavy weight.  Victor Lavendar, a contractor, also stole the audience by his posing routine. Lavender left he show as the winner of the heavyweight class, best poser, and overall winner.  He kept the audiences full attention as he mastered each pose without effort.  Sergeant Nicole Brown, the figure class winner, is ready to hit the stage for some more quarter turns in Hawaii upon her return from deployment in March.

Our judges were Staff Sergeant Tyrel Tierney, the overall winner from the show in May, Pricilla Nail a NPC competitor based out of Alabama, CW2 Darla Saunders, a former bodybuilder, First Sergeant Dwalyn Dasher, a certified fitness trainer through the ISSA, and Bobby Windley, former professional bodybuilder who has earned titles such as 1997 NABBA World Champion, Mr. Universe competitor, and is currently a member of the German National Bodybuilding Team.  The show was coordinated by Staff Sergeant Kelly Dean, a figure competitor out of Schofield Barracks Hawaii, Sergeant First Class Jeffrey Herzog, who competed in Camp Taji’s Bodybuilding Show in May, and is also a bodybuilder out of Schofield Barracks, Hawaii and currently in training for the upcoming Armed Forces in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.  Laturel Tuner donated his time as the DJ for the event.  Mr. Forgerald Nash and Mr. William Brown of KBR contributed greatly to the coordination of the event.

On the night of November 23rd the audience saw over 5,000 pounds of muscle step onto stage.  During long tours in Iraq for our military and civilians, these shows help inspire others to stay fit, or achieve that fitness goal they have always dreamed of.  Keep looking forward to more shows!  If our soldiers and civilians can find time to stay in immaculate physical condition while serving lengthily tours here in Iraq or other locations overseas, let that inspire yourself and others!  This is a wonderful representation of not only the Army’s elite, but our nations!  Stay fit, and keep fighting!

Winners Circle:

Bantamweight
1. MSG Granderson Alexander
2. SGT Adrian Brealey

Light Weight
1. Nathan Blythe
2. SFC Alan West
3. Anthony Broussard

Middle Weight
1. SGT William Hill
2. CPT Dan Smith
3. CPT George Bradford

Light-heavy Weight
1. SGT Terence Gadson
2. SPC Otis Corley
3. CW3 Ron Jupiter

Heavy Weight
1. Victor Lavender
2. Christopher Wilson
3. Benton Chambers

Figure
1. SGT Nicole Brown
2. SGT Michelle Beasley
3. CW2 Temeko Westbrook

Best Poser
Victor Lavender

Overall Winner
Victor Lavender

More Photos:

Kelly Dean
US ARMY Staff Sergeant & Figure Competitor