Summer has come and gone and with that came a great season of competitive fitness and bodybuilding shows here inNew Mexico. Wrapping up the summer competitive season The 2011 OCB Southern Rockies Natural Bodybuilding and Fitness Competition and The 2011 NPC Mid-USA/NewMexicoState bodybuilding, Men’s physique, Figure and Bikini Championships were both hosted during the month of August.
OCB Judge and IFPA Pro Bodybuilder, Jayson Blanchard, provided the following wrap up of the show held inLos Alamos.
The 2011 OCB Southern Rockies Natural Bodybuilding and Fitness Competition was held on August 8th. This year’s edition did not disappoint as 25 high caliber competitors entered the contest. The woman’s figure competition was won by Los Alamos native and Albuquerque resident Meaghan White. The woman’s fitness model champion was Santa Fean Catherine Leyba. The Bikini category was introduced to the contest this year and the winner was Mayra Najera-Lopez. Wenona Duran traveled all the way over from Grants to win the women’s bodybuilding division.
There were several male bodybuilders in categories from 60-plus all the way down to teens in the novice. The men’s open overall was ultimately won by JB Privitt of Albuquerque, owner of Charter Fitness in Albuquerque, who barely edged out veteran competitor and heavy weight winner Wayne Gaede. While the number of competitors is not huge, the quality was certainly exceptional, as was the energetic and supportive crowd. This is a small town show, where everyone is given support and encouragement. Everyone is always friendly and supportive backstage and the show is a great “family event” setting.
Fast forward to the following weekend, The 2011 NPC Mid-USA/NewMexicoState bodybuilding, Men’s physique, Figure and Bikini Championships were held at the African American Performing Arts Center on August 13. This double show featured a legitimate line up of skilled competitors and was a qualifying show for several top placing athletes.
Unable to get in contact with promoter of show to post category winners, I was able to get the chance of interviewing figure competitor Shalako Bradberry who won 4th and 3rd place in the double show, qualifying her for the a NationalJunior Show. I was introduced to Shalako at the 2011 Fitness New Mexico show and have kept my eye on this upcoming figure athlete. A professional speech language pathologist and resident of Las Cruces, this beautiful and hard working lady has hit competitive scene this year competing in 4 shows, respectably placing from first to fourth place in her height categories. She was inspired by her husband’s interest in bodybuilding and soon realized that fitness competitions were a growing passion of hers and a way to stay in excellent shape. I look forward to seeing this hard-working athlete take the stage over the next few years and really see her come into her own. Congratulations to Shalako on taking the first place in Figure short at the El Paso Sun City Regional a few weekends ago and best of luck on her next performance.
Thank you for tuning in and congratulations to all of the competitive fitness/bodybuilding athletes who competed in this months featured shows and to all those working hard on their off-season preparing for their next big show – GOOD LUCK. Remember to always keep your FITNESS in FOCUS!
-Athlete’s Angle
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