All South Championships Was A Winner!
|
Pete Fancher and Gene Schlossberg pulled off another terrific All South Bodybuilding, Fitness, and Figure Championships in St. Augustine, Florida on November 3 at the Pedro Menendez High School on state road 207. This was a Level V national qualifier and the last one prior to the National Physique Committee Nationals Bodybuilding and Fitness competition coming up in Dallas this week starting with weigh-in on Thursday, Nov. 15.
The All South Championships had a memorable field of contestants particularly in the men’s light-heavy and heavyweight division, which comprised 15 of the 67 total entrants on hand. Marijan “Mario” Lipsinic of Coral Springs, Florida was shredded and took the open light heavyweight title over the rest of the field that included circuit favorite Chris Eaddy, NPC judge and promoter of the Southeastern USA. Lipsinic is a personal trainer who lost 40 pounds in preparation for this show specifically, which was his last show of the season that was to be followed by a week vacationing with his wife in the Smokies savoring his victory and the change of seasons.
Lee Banks took the heavyweight title and men’s overall in the pose down against Lipsinic, Joey Perea, and James Jackson. Though Bank’s seasoned contest prep, muscle mass and symmetry won the day as he preps for a pro-bid at nationals it was through a tough competitive field that included David Fenty in the heavyweight division. Fenty, from the Orlando area weighed in at 216 pounds the same as Banks and these two stood out as the two that the winner of the division clearly came down to. Fenty who won the Dexter Jackson Classic has a promising career ahead with massive muscularity at only 23 years of age. Plus, Perea and Jackson both looked terrific having competed and won other shows around the state this year. There were no fat guys on stage at the All South Championships.
The Men’s Over 40 division winner Doug Huston had a terrific story to go with his package as this 47 year old had never competed before. After nearly three decades of being a self-proclaimed gym rat Huston took the time to train and diet for the show, which was rewarded on stage by loud applause for an amazing display of size and symmetry that was an inspiration for all us middle-aged gym-o-philes. Even before winning Huston said, “after I got a taste of it this morning, I think I’m going to keep going.” Huston had complementary things to say about the All South Championships generally and the camaraderie exhibited by the athletes there. “The best thing about the show other than setting a goal and achieving something whether it is just getting in good shape or actually placing and being lucky enough to do well at a show is I have got to tell you I’ve met a lot of good people here a lot of folks that I hope are going to be friends for years to come. That has been the most impressive, fun, and surprising thing about this show is how much everyone supports each other and how friendly everyone is. I’d like to thank all my peers and competitors here because they have been great and they have supported me as well.”
It was no wonder Huston came out with such positive thoughts about the All South Championships considering he was competing with the likes of NPC judge Christian ambassador of the sport Roger Puffer. Pete Fancher, in the morning athletes’ meeting reflected on an interview I’d done with Puffer who had highlighted the emphasis Fancher placed on the benefits of making friends at shows. Like Huston, Puffer brought the goods and edged out the ever-fit Michael Ives and Wendell Lyons in the Men’s Bodybuilding Over 50.
Although Gina Crum was the only fitness competitor she delivered a national qualifier level of performance to the stage. As noted jokingly noted by the comedian emcee she walked on her hands better than he and Fancher did on their feet. Ponte Vedra resident Carole Rollins put on a dynamic performance that accentuated her physique that landed her the Over 30 Women’s Bodybulding title. Willeena Woodall of Tallahassee took the Women’s Bodybuilding Overall after winning the Open Middleweight class. She had dropped a few pounds at the last minute to make her weight class, which paid off. Gymnastics Coach Ellen Woodley, Chris Eaddy’s partner took the women’s lightweight bodybuilding title and looked terrific with well proportioned size and muscle mass particularly noticeable in her upper body. Lucy Wilson, took the All South Championships Women’s Bodybuilding Heavyweight division title. Wilson, was already qualified for nationals and used this show as a warm up considering two months ago she had not considered competing at all this year. Being two weeks out from her peak at nationals may have been reflected in her not winning the overall. However after seeing Wilson yesterday, at World Gym in Jacksonville, a week from the All South performance and one week to the NPC Nationals believe me her transformation for the big stage is right on target.
Alexandra Johnston looked marvelous winning the Women Over 30 Figure division. The towering beauty Elizabeth Sandoz also won her perspective Open Tall Figure division in tough competition with five other girls including North Florida favorite Kay Kruer. The Overall was taken by JoAnne Murphy who also won the Open Figure Short in what Johnston had noted at weigh-in that she feared being a straight up judging of her against a short class winner. With 23 beautiful ladies competing in the Figure division classes it was certainly a tough competition wherein all the ladies deserved and received grateful applause from the audience and fans. Karla Podewils and Shanna Johnson both competed in the figure short class are two ladies I’ll be following the progress of in North Florida. Podewils a St. Augustine resident has an exceptional figure with posing to match. Johnson, a Jacksonville Beach resident has extraordinary features with a smile that provides more lighting than the overhead stage equipment. She recently switched trainers and is taking advantages of the services of the All South Championships Premier Show Sponsor, John Mier of PremierPhysiques.net. Johnson is in good company with Mier who is now heading to Nationals as trainer for Lee Banks and Lucy Wilson.
For more information on the past, present, and future All South Championships Bodybuilding, Fitness, and Figure Event visit www.AllSouthChampionships.com.