The centralised location of Wanganui has proved a major drawcard for the first major national bodybuilding organisation event held here, with over 70 entries for the Manawatu/Wanganui championships today.
The Manawatu branch of the National Amateur Bodybuilders' Association (NABBA) are having their provincial show in the Wanganui Collegiate School auditorium for the first time in the 24 years of the event.
One of the favourites is Wanganui's Darren Faulkner, the 2013 NABBA national champion of Masters competition and a mixed class winner at the Asia-Pacific championships with New Plymouth's Tamara Merriman.
"It's a huge one, there's 70-plus coming," said Faulkner, who will enter the Masters grade again but after today is planning to switch to Open Athletic events. "Some of them have been going for years and they've only managed to get 55 [entries]."
In all, there will be 23 Wanganui competitors representing the local gyms of ReVitalise Natural Health and Fitness, Inspire Health & Fitness Centre, City Gym and Club Fitness.