Pro/Am Contests Blog

Check out this great review with photos from the recent 2007 FAME North American Championships held last month in Miami, Florida, USA - courtesy of the team at NorthAmericanBodies.com.  Click here to view:

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/2007famena.htm

Congratulations go out to BodySpace members Ava Cowan, Alex Fontaine, Diana Chaloux, and Scott Hults for their wins!

Click image for larger version.

Wow, check out those great BB.com t-shirts! 

South Beach sizzled this past weekend when the athletes competing in the FAME North American Championships came to Miami, FL on November 2-4, 2007.

This competition was the final event of the year for the WNSO (World Natural Sports Organization) and featured all competition categories (swimsuit model, fitness model, muscle model, fitness, figure, bodybuilding) and all levels from Novice to Pro. The Shelborne Hotel served as the host for this event.

Diana Chaloux and Jeffrey Kippel.

The weekend was packed with multiple opportunities for the FAME athletes to network, receive media exposure and get to know one another. Friday’s agenda included the “Telemundo Battle of the Sexes”, a promotional tour of Miami for athletes, FAME posing and walking clinics with WNSO Pros Lyzabeth Lopez and Ian Walling, as well as an evening athlete meet and greet. Videographers and photographers for FAME TV and FAME magazines were on hand for all events as well.

WNSO Athletes Pose at the Sunday Pool Party.

Prejudging began early Saturday morning at the Gusman Center for the Performing Arts, the judges for this event included Walling and Lopez, Alan Shugarman, Candy Colby, Kevin Weaver and Head Judge/WNSO Co-President Jeffrey Kippel.

The evening show began at 6 p.m. on Saturday night hosted by photographer and master of ceremonies Anthony Miller. The show was incredibly well run by Producer and WNSO Co-President Mindy Blackstien as well as Stage Manager Shannon Lucier.

WNSO Pros Diana Chaloux and Washington Candido.

Several new WNSO Pros were named including Kirsten Groody – Women’s Muscle; Alex Fontaine – Men’s Muscle; Sarah Koeslag – Fitness; Ava Cowan – Figure; Kamber Lindenbach – Female Fitness Model; Danielle Carrington – Masters Female Fitness Model; Andrew Judson – Male Fitness Model; Wendy Carvalho - Women’s Muscle Model; and Cham Pierre – Men’s Muscle Model.

In the Pro division, the top nods were given to Diana Chaloux (hey, that’s me!!) – Female Pro Fitness Model; Kendall Wood – Male Pro Fitness Model & Male Pro Muscle Model; Maci Zimmerman – Female Pro Muscle Model & Pro Figure; Marie Newton – Female Masters Pro Fitness Model; Ainsley McSorley – Pro Swimsuit Model; Washington Zambrano – Pro Muscle; John Rossman – Pro Muscle Masters; Scott Hultz – Pro Muscle Grandmasters; Vivianne Malette – Pro Muscle Masters Women; Ruby Carter – Pro Figure Masters.

WNSO Pro Fitness Model Diana Chaloux.

When the lights went down at the Gusman theatre, this fun filled weekend still wasn’t over. Sunday included a pool party and photo shoots for FAME magazine and calendar. All in all this was a spectacular weekend for the athletes and everyone involved.

We’re Not in Kansas Anymore, Toto!

The FAME competition season starts up again in March 2008! Check out the calendar of upcoming events at www.wowfame.com, including the show I am sanctioning here in Texas! “Diana Chaloux’s FAME South Central Championship & Fitness Expo” will be held on May 3, 2008 and is a WNSO Pro Qualifying event! Athletes who register for this event prior to January 1, 2008 and enter coupon code: FAME will receive $20.00 off of registration.

Diana Chaloux
www.dianachaloux.com
www.destined2befit.com

Competing with WNSO Fame has been such a great experience for me.  I’ve recently competed in the Mike Kocsis North Eastern competition and having won first place in Bikini model and earning my pro status I decided to compete in Fame Nationals in Miami, FL this past weekend (November 3rd).

Upon entering the Gusman Theater Saturday afternoon, I was pretty overwhelmed.  So many beautiful people who worked so hard to get to where they were that day.  I had so much respect for each one.  Although everyone is a competitor and the next person’s competition, it didn’t stop each one from being so pleasant and personable.  This is a big part of why I love to compete.  Meeting so many great people who share the same interests as myself.

Although the competition was very tough, I came out winning second place in fitness model as well as second place in the Bikini model pro.  The feeling is amazing when your number is called.  Although I feel my wins make me successful, I also feel successful just having the opportunity to be on that stage.  I worked diligently everyday to get to this point.  I constantly reach my goals by not missing a workout and sticking to my food plan.  Self improvement and happiness is the greatest success of all!

Tammy Blais

Muscle - Men’s Classes:

Junior
1. Alex Fontaine - Bois-des-Filion, QC, Canada

Masters
1. Timothy Deemer - Bath, PA, USA

Grandmasters
1. Daryl Crawford - Tampa, FL, USA

Novice
1. Victor Garcia - Hialeah, FL, USA
2. John Benevento - Davie, FL, USA
3. Daryl Crawford - Tampa, FL, USA

Open
1. Victor Garcia - Hialeah, FL, USA
2. Femi Olagoke - Staten Island, NY, USA

Physically Challenged
1. Kyle Roberts - Lacombe, LA, USA

Pairs
1. Kevin Ashby & Wendy Carvalho-Ashby - Calgary, AB, Canada

Advanced
1. Alex Fontaine - Bois-des-Filion, QC, Canada
2. Kevin Asby - Calgary, AB, USA
3. Armond Scipione - Pompano Beach, FL, USA

Pro
1. Washington Zambrano - Miami, FL, USA
2. Erik Powers - Colgate, WI, USA
3. Michael Elias - Tulsa, OK, USA

Pro - Masters
1. John Rossman - Birmingham, AL, USA
2. Brian Cressman - Jasper, AL - USA

Pro - Grandmasters
1. Scott “Old Navy” Hults - Birmingham, AL, USA

Muscle - Women’s Classes:

Open
1. Kari Green - Calgary, AB, Canada

Advanced
1. Kirsten Groody (New Pro) - Toronto, ON, Canada

Pro - Masters
1. Vivianne Malette - Cantley, QC, Canada
2. Ruby Carter-Pikes - San Fernando, CA, USA
3. Pat Reese - Paola, KS, USA

Fitness:

Junior
1. Brooke Sharpton - Miami, FL, USA

Novice
1. Lindsay Koller - Davie, FL, USA
2. Ella Magers - Miami, FL, USA
3. Jamie Tanner - Denham Springs, LA, USA

Advanced
1. Sarah Koeslag (New Pro) - Orangeville, ON, Canada

Figure:

Novice
1. Ellena Tsatsos - Melbourne, Australia
2. Wendy LaRoche - Melbourne, Australia

Open
1. Wendy Carvalho-Ashby - Calgary, AB, Canada
2. Lindsay Koller - Davie, FL, USA
3. Ellena Tsatsos - Melbourne, Australia

Advanced
1. Ava Cowan (New Pro) - Pompano Beach, FL, USA

Pro
1. Maci Zimmerman - Calgary, AB, Canada
2. Sherilee Newton - Jersey City, NJ, USA

Pro - Masters
1. Ruby Carter-Pikes - San Fernando, CA, USA

Bikini:

Open
1. Ella Magers - Miami, FL, USA
2. Lucianna Pursell - Fairfield, CT, USA
3. Noelle Joye - Henderson, NV, USA

Pro
1. Ainsley McSorley - Winnipeg, MB, Canada
2. Tammy Blais - New London, CT, USA
3. Mindy Karuk - Winnipeg, MB, Canada

Fitness Model - Women’s Classes:

Novice
1. Lucianna Pursell - Fairfield, CT, USA
2. Ella Magers - Miami, FL, USA
3. Sofia Venanzetti - Miami, FL, USA

Open - Short
1. Tammy Treppeda - Delray Beach, FL, USA
2. Tammy Blais - New London, CT, USA
3. Noelle Joye - Henderson, NV, USA

Open - Tall
1. Tiffany Gaston - Peoria, AZ, USA
2. Tonay Mobley - Ft. Lauderdale, FL, USA
3. Wendy LaRoche - Melbourne, Australia

Advanced
1. Kamber Lindenbach (New Pro) - Calgary, AB, Canada
2. Ainsley McSorley - Winnipeg, AB, Canada
3. Melissa Tucker - Toronto, ON, Canada

Masters
1. Danielle Carrington (New Pro) - Ossington, NY, USA
2. Olga Fernandez - Miami, FL, USA
3. Susan Choi - Calgary, AB, Canada

Pro
1. Diana Chaloux - San Antonio, TX, USA
2. Isabelle Galarneau - Outremont, QC, Canada
3. Mindy Karuk - Winnipeg, MB, Canada

Pro - Masters
1. Marie Newton - Toronto, ON, Canada
2. Laurie Dickson - Cranbrook, BC, Canada
3. Bridgette Grosvenor - Grand Prairie, TX, USA

Fitness Model - Men’s Classes:

Open - Short
1. Jeff Richards - Miami, FL, USA
2. Sam Moorman - Miami, FL, USA
3. Zac Tropf - Palm Harbour - FL, USA

Open - Tall
1. Phil Williams - Palm Beach, FL, USA
2. Harry White - Charlotte, NC, USA
3. Cham Pierre - Lighthouse Point, FL, USA

Advanced
1. Andrew Judson (New Pro) - Toronto, ON, Canada
2. Washington Candido - Jacksonville, FL, USA
3. Leroy Bascombe - Mississauga, ON, Canada

Masters
1. John Rossman - Birmingham, LA, USA
2. Mark Whalen - Hollywood, FL, USA
3. Rick Mueller - Calgary, AB, Canada

Pro
1. Kendal Wood - Acworth, GA, USA
2. Zac Titus - Los Angeles, CA, USA
3. Michael McFarlane - Mississauga, ON, Canada

Muscle Model - Women’s Classes:

Open
1. Wendy Carvalho-Ashby (New Pro) - Calgary, AB, Canada
2. Ellena Tsatsos - Melbourne, Australia
3. Wendy LaRoche - Melbourne, Austraila

Pro
1. Maci Zimmerman - Calgary, AB, Canada
2. Sherilee Newton - Jersey City, NJ, USA
3. Laurie Dickson - Cranbrook, BC, Canada

Muscle Model - Men’s Classes:

Open
1. Cham Pierre (New Pro) - Lighthouse Point, FL, USA
2. Harry White - Charlotte, NC, USA
3. Phil Williams - Palm Beach, FL, USA

Pro
1. Kendal Wood - Acworth, GA, USA
2. Michael McFarlane - Mississauga, ON, Canada
3. Peter Merrero - Miami, FL, Usa

Originally posted on the WOWfame blog.  Another partial results page here.

UPDATE:  Visit the FAME Video Gallery to see video highlights from this show:

http://www.wowfame.com/famevideos.html

I just wanted to give some feedback about my experience at The FAME North American in Miami, Florida.

I must first start by saying that from the first athlete meeting I had a great feeling about the WNSO. This was my first time competing with FAME, and I felt so welcomed. The athletes were treated with tremendous respect and the show ran very smoothly. The venue was second to none, that is for sure. We had many different rooms to change in prepare for the competition. The stage was huge and very well lit, you definitely felt on top of the world performing on it! Well I sure did anyway.

The main difference between FAME and most other organizations in terms of scoring is the 6 mandatory posing, and a 90 second routine. The 6 mandatory poses were so fun to do. Once I committed to just doing them, I actually started to have fun with it. And I had a blast doing the pose down at the end. It was awesome!

That is one of the reasons I chose to do this event because I know how to get into shape and I know how to do 1/4 turns. What I didn’t know, was how to put together a routine that not only had some elements of bodybuilding but had a few strength moves in it too. That coupled with coordinating the right music and a costume was a new challenge for me. And that is what it is all about to me, to continually challenge myself as an athlete.

It was a great feeling to walk away with my professional status. And there are many categories to compete in that can accommodate you with where you are at in with your training. From Bikini to Bodybuilding. And most importantly…naturally! Because at the end of the day, treating your body with respect is what this should all be about anyway! And that is something you can feel good about.

I had fitness competitor Wendi West choreograph my routine and professional bodybuilder Lynn Sauve with my mandatory poses and diet.

Wendi West at wendi_west@hotmail.com
Lynn Sauve at lynnbodytraining@hotmail.com

First of all, I would like to thank everyone for all the words of encouragement going up into this show.  I ended up attaining my goal of presenting my best ever physique at this show.

Instead of competing in the Men’s Open, I decided to go for the Pro Card in the Advanced division.  When all was said and done, I ended up in 3rd place in the Advanced category.

That being said, I couldn’t be happier.  I will be spending the next few weeks doing as many photo shoots as possible!

Thank you all again!

Anyone attending the FAME competition tonight in Miami???? Anyone competing there?????

I am looking forward to networking and meeting a lot of you that I know from MySpace and BodySpace!!!!

Good luck to anyone in the show tonight! I cannot wait to see the evening show!

I am pulling for my awesome buddy Ava Cowan to win the Figure division tonight!!! She has what it takes!

See you all there!  xoxo

Tamar
tamar@oxygenfit.com

New WNSO Figure Pro Diana Chaloux is not only competing in tomorrow’s FAME North Americans being held in Miami, Florida, but she’s also launching a new video series next week right here on Bodybuilding.com!

Check out the teaser trailer right here!

Stay tuned next week for more of Diana Chaloux!

UPDATE:  Diana’s new video series can be found here:

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/fitdreams.htm

Get more info on the FAME North American Championships at:
www.wnso.com/miami

Having problems with the video?  Click here for the YouTube version.

With the FAME North American Championships less than one week away, let’s see what a couple of the competitors have had to say during the past couple of days…

Ava Cowan:

“As I sit here this Sunday before my show next Saturday, I have to say I am ready to go…  I think my main concern was the last bit of loose skin on the back of my legs.  But each day I am getting tighter and tighter.  Thank God!”

The Appealing Ava Cowan!

“My posing is down, and I feel great about my 90 second routine.  I also have to get some alterations on my costume.  I did a full run through and the costume didn’t hold up!  The top clasp came undone, and that is why you must try everything out.  So no big deal, I will just get some things adjusted on it…  So today is my last day of long cardio..then by Wednesday night I will be done and will relax Thursday and Friday.”

Visit Ava Cowan’s blog to read the whole entry (originally posted 10/28/07.)

Diana Chaloux:

“Well I’ve got a little over a week now until my next competition at the FAME North American Championships and I am sooo excited! Physically I feel ready for this show but I’m planning to keep my training intensity up this week. I’ll be doing a lot of extra posing practice this week, but I’m also planning on staying as relaxed as possible so I’m going in for a massage this weekend too… aaaaaahhhh” 

The Delicious Diana Chaloux!

“It’s been an exciting couple of weeks since winning my WNSO pro card that is for sure! What is so great is since this organization promotes so many different types of physiques from swimsuit models to bodybuilders there is a category for everyone so there are no more excuses not to compete!!!”

Visit Diana Chaloux’s blog to read the whole entry (originally posted 10/25/07.)

For show info, visit www.wnsoevent.com.

I received a message on MySpace from Shannon with FAME Media Group informing me that they have an updated show poster for this next weekend’s FAME North American Championships.

For more show information, visit www.wnsoevent.com.

If you’re going to the FAME North Americans, please let me know - I’d like to get a couple of contest reviews on here after the contest. 

I received this video message on MySpace, and am reposting it here for your viewing pleasure.

"Hey there!  Here’s the latest video clip for the FAME North American Championships (next weekend in South Beach, Florida), November 2-4, 2007 in Miami, FL.

Got Body? Get FAME!

Hope to see you there!”

Thanks,

Mindy
www.wowFAME.com

P.S. Additional Info:

To compete, just visit www.wowFAME.com. Open to first timers, seasoned athletes & pros. Categories for models, fitness & figure athletes & natural bodybuilders.  Get Spectator Tickets on line at www.wowFAME.com or at the door.

Get more info on the FAME North American Championships at:
www.wnso.com/miami

Having problems with the video?  Click here for the YouTube version or the MySpaceTV version.  Video courtesy of Mindy Blackstien from wowFAME.com.  Used with permission.

Five new WNSO Pros, including yours truly , were named at the Mike Kocsis FAME Northeastern Classic in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania on October 13, 2007. The show was held at the Zoellner Arts Center on the Lehigh University campus.

This show was the first one sanctioned by Mike Kocsis who is a WNSO Professional, Natural Bodybuilder & Fitness Model as well as the owner of Unlimited Changes Fitness Center located in Easton, PA. He served as the promoter, host, emcee and guest poser for this event.

With the FAME North American Championships coming up in the beginning of November, there was an impressive turnout of natural athletes for this Pro-Qualifier. Competition categories included Swimsuit Model, Fitness Model, Muscle Model, Figure and Bodybuilding.

Athletes taking home the Kocsis cup as well as their WNSO Pro Cards included Diana Chaloux of San Antonio, TX who placed first overall in the Female Fitness Model Division and third in Swimsuit Model; Kevin Kreider of Philadelphia, PA who placed first in the Muscle Model category; Neil Rigney took first in the Male Fitness Model division and Tammy Blais won for the Swimsuit Model category.

Judges on hand for this event included head judge and WNSO president and co-founder Jeffrey Kippel and the following WNSO Pro Athletes:  Sheri Newton, Matthew Stocker, Ralph Yates and Joe Patton.

The WNSO promotes an atmosphere of camaraderie for the athletes, so the backstage experience was truly a lot of fun. Athletes were supportive of one another and the event staff kept the show running smoothly. All in all the Kocsis Classic was a great experience for athletes and attendees alike!

Diana

Hey ya’ll!!

Just had some exciting news I wanted to share! I competed this weekend in the Mike Kocsis FAME Northeastern Classic in Pennsylvania and I won overall in the Fitness Model category and my WNSO Pro Card!!! I am so excited!

I’ll be competing in Miami in three weeks at the FAME North American Championships, my first time taking the stage as a Pro!!  Wish me luck! 

Diana

www.dianachaloux.com
www.destined2befit.com

Sponsors and athletes wanted for “Diana Chaloux’s FAME South Central Championships & Fitness Expo” check out
www.d2bfit.com/D2B/FAME for more details!

Order your autographed photos of WNSO Pro Diana Chaloux by clicking here:  www.d2bfit.com/Dphotos/Dphotos

Less than 4 weeks until I step on a bodybuilding stage for the first time in 3 years.

Hope to see everyone there!