News>Muscle Classic contest draws more than 800 fans
Photos
Pacific Muscle Classic competitors flex their muscles during the opening ceremony at the Keystone Theater on Kadena Air Base, Japan, June 3, 2012. More than 800 active-duty service members, civilians and dependents came out to the Keystone Theater to watch and support the sixth annual competition that included 45 competitors. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Jonathan Steffen)
Zoa Linsey, International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness professional bodybuilder and a personal trainer at Risner Fitness Center, flexes her muscles during her guest appearance at the Sixth Annual Pacific Muscle Classic on Kadena Air Base, Japan, June 3, 2012. More than 800 active-duty service members, civilians and dependents came out to view and support this year's muscle contest. The competitors completed their vigorous 60-second routines with little to no difficulty at all, showing the crowd just how dedicated they are to their craft. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Justin Veazie)
U.S. Marine Corps 1st Lt. Amber Dunford, Pacific Air Force Marine Wing Liaison Kadena tactical air operations, receives the Overall Female Award during the Sixth Annual Pacific Muscle Classic on Kadena Air Base, Japan, June 3, 2012. The Overall Female Award is given to the one who best displays showmanship, as well as fitness and figure. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Justin Veazie)
Hidekazu Taba yells to the crowd in excitement after winning his second award during the 6th Annual Pacific Muscle Classic on Kadena Air Base, Japan, June 3, 2012. Taba won the Men's Masters as well as "crowd favorite" with his muscles and witty personality. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Justin Veazie)
Philip "Rico" Ricardo Jr., U.S. Marine Corps Master Sgt. (retired), performs a routine during his guest appearance at the 6th Annual Pacific Muscle Classic on Kadena Air Base, Japan, June 3, 2012. Rico is a 12-time professional natural bodybuilding champion, as well as the 2010 Yorton Cup Men's Pro Bodybuilding Champion. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Justin Veazie)
Tomoya Nakadomari flexes his muscles after winning the Overall Male Award during the 6th Annual Pacific Muscle Classic on Kadena Air Base, Japan, June 3, 2012. The Overall Male Award is given to the one who best displays showmanship, as well as their fitness and figures. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Justin Veazie)
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jessica Hernandez, 353rd Special Operations Support Squadron knowledge operations manager, poses for a picture before exiting the stage during the 2012 Sixth Annual Pacific Muscle Classic on Kadena Air Base, Japan, June 3, 2012. Hernandez placed fourth in the Women's Figure category for women under 5'4, and showed great sportsmanship throughout the event. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Justin Veazie)
by Airman 1st Class Justin Veazie
18th Wing Public Affairs
6/6/2012 - KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- More than 800 active-duty service members, civilians and dependents came out to the Keystone Theater to watch and support 45 competitors in the 2012 Sixth Annual Pacific Muscle Classic competition June 3.
The Pacific Muscle Classic consisted of 11 different categories in the men's and women's divisions. The women categories were Women's Figure for the height of 5'4 and under and 5'4 and over, Fitness, Lightweight, Middleweight, Heavyweight. The categories for the men were Men's Masters, Bantamweight, Lightweight, Middleweight, Light Heavyweight and Heavyweight.
Congratulations to the following winners:
Women's Figure 5'4 and under Christine Amon Women's Figure over 5'4 Ashaunettae Young Women's Fitness Shelly Howard Women's lightweight Amber Dunford Women's Middleweight Ashaunettae Young Women's Overall Winner Amber Dunford
Men's Masters Hidekazu Taba Men's Bantamweight Hidekazu Taba Men's Lightweight Stephen Hohner Men's Middleweight Tomoya Nakadomari Men's Light Heavyweight Siah-ra Ausar Men's Heavyweight Kenneth Walker Men's Overall Winner Tomoya Nakadomari
Bodybuilding competitions are not without hard work and dedication, and professional bodybuilders gives a whole new meaning to the word "fitness."
According to event organizers, time spent in the gym is typically equal to the time bodybuilders dedicate to their diet.
"Most people just ask me how much do I work out," said Zoa Linsey, International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness professional bodybuilder and a personal trainer at Risner Fitness Center, "but what they don't know is bodybuilding is a diet sport."
Knowing what foods to eat is an essential entity in any body builder's lifestyle.
Some body builders may mention different extreme diets and workouts such as measuring how much protein, salts and fats are in their meals. They may also discuss a tendency to overdue workouts such as running 8 miles on top of lifting weights for three hours. However, other professionals choose to just stick with the basics.
"There's no need for any extreme or fancy workouts," said Philip "Rico" Ricardo Jr., U.S. Marine Corps Master Sgt. (retired), 12-time professional natural body building champion and the 2010 Yorton Cup Men's Pro Bodybuilding Champion. "Just stick to the basics."
