Pro/Am Contests Blog

Check out Bodybuilding.com’s full contest coverage from this competition right here.

2009 NPC Vancouver & Tanji Johnson Results. Check out the results from the 2009 NPC Vancouver Bodybuilding & Tanji Johnson Fitness contest here. [ View 2009 NPC Vancouver & Tanji Johnson States Results ]

2009 NPC Vancouver Photos Check out the pictures of the 2009 NPC Vancouver.  See pictures of contestants, crowds and competition! 2009 NPC Vancouver Photos: [ Men ] [ Women ] [ Figure ] [ Bikini ] [ Fitness ]

2009 Vancouver Natural Kicks Off Northwest Season
By: Mark Mason

The Vancouver Natural and Tanji Johnson Fitness, Figure, and Bikini Championships ushered in many firsts in 2009. Beginning with the debut of the NPC’s newest creation the Bikini contest.

Recognizing the general public’s growing disinterest in female bodybuilding and after repeated pleas for figure competitors to reverse their trend of coming in harder and leaner the National Physique Committee created the Bikini division. This division is solely dedicated to encourage women competitors towards a softer, shapelier, sexier look. Judging from the response in Vancouver bikini is destined to be a hit.

The Vancouver Natural also marked the first guest appearances of two of the newest Pro fitness competitors Rose Hendricks and Safiya Johnson. Both ladies earned their pro status at last year’s Team Universe and are now well on their journey towards an IFBB title.

In contrast to the firsts there were some exciting realizations in this, the twenty-second year of the Frank Bohm produced event.

In Men’s bodybuilding light-heavyweight A.J. Moore out-muscled heavyweight Twayne Rawls and took home yet another Northwest overall title. Lightweight champ Mark Sindayen presented one of the most balanced physiques and classical posing routines since Henry Jung last graced the Vancouver stage.  Middleweight Corey Hancock brought his best package to stage as did up-and-comer Alex Lueth.

In the open women division middleweight Jennifer Erickson’s persistent pursuit of an overall title finally paid off.  Erickson’s victory was not a shallow one, as she had to defeat the likes of lightweight Cindy Goodrich and the very symmetrical heavyweight winner Chris Clark.

The novice men’s lightweight had quite a clash between first place Bobby McDonough and second place Torrance Cooper with just a solitary point separating the two of them.  Middleweight winner David Johnston moved one more step toward the open division with a decisive victory in his class as well as the overall.

The novice heavyweight victory went to a Tierra Wall. If Wall can catch his lower body up with his upper he could be a challenger in the near future. Second place in the heavyweights went to Toa Save.  Save is another persistent athlete who continues to improve each time he competes. With the right nutritional guidance and correct training methods there is no telling how far Toa Save could go.

As expected the women’s figure classes were large, boasting over sixty competitors in a half dozen classes. But what was not expected was the caliber of the competition in each class. These ladies came ready to compete and compete they did.

Sheila Salinas came back after a several year layoff to claim the masters over thirty-five class.  Catalina Illades move up in the ranks winning the masters over forty class beating out a very well conditioned Paisley Miller and perennial favorite Sherri Stokes.

In the open figure division it was the ever-smiling Jennifer Meeker taking first with Sheia Scott in second and Melina Elder third in the short class. The medium class award went to a well-deserving Victoria Stroup. The Seattle firefighter beat out Jessica Hopkins and Cristiane Rocha who place second and third respectively.

Ryan Everson came and conquered taking the medium tall class by an eleven-point spread. Everson also went on to be declared the overall figure winner.  Andrea Rosenbaum edged out Jennifer Blundell by two points to win the second place award.

Tall class winner Anastasiya Chumova has made one of the most talked about transformations of the year.  Chumova, who possesses great genetics, really put the fine points on her physique for this years show.  Hannah Ringholm took home the second place award and the Julie Michaelson third.

As mentioned above the unveiling of the NPC bikini division was a hit.  The short class winner came down between to former figure ladies the sultry Kana Phi-Lewis and shapely Jen Turnbull. Both women were at home on stage and presented well. The judges gave Phi-Lewis the edge over Turnbull