NABBA East Coast championships ‘a first-class show’

Ephraim Gudgeon was the only entrant in the wheelchair category but proved the star of the show with his routine and flawless definition. Picture by Liam Clayton

BODYBUILDING

VISITING competitors claimed four of the six top categories in the NABBA East Coast Bodybuilding Championships at the War Memorial Theatre on Saturday.

New Zealand representative and Gizzy Muscle gym owner Tawhiri Walsh’s gym took top honours in the best gym category — providing the most numbers and highest placings with two overall champions.

But while proud of that effort, competiton co-organiser Walsh focused his praise on the event itself.

“The shows, one in the morning and one in the evening, were not about our club; they were about showcasing the talent we have in local gyms,” said Walsh, who did not compete as he is preparing for the national champs in October at Palmerston North.

“The show was a major success and we couldn’t have done it so well without the support of local sponsors.

“Competitor-wise, we ended up getting 40, the majority from out of town.

“Comments from everyone was it was the friendliest and most organised show they’ve done, with the best prize package set-up. It was a credit to all the local gyms, who helped organise the shows.”

“All the out-of-town athletes were singing the praises of the region for putting on a first-class show.

“The crowd for the two shows was about 250, which we were stoked with.”

DJ Walter “The Wiz” Walsh organised a crowd posedown category and a singing competition, which went down “really well”, said Walsh.

While the visitors dominated the major individual prizes, Walsh said Any Time Fitness Centre owner Ephraim Gudgeon, in a wheelchair after an accident 18 months ago left him paralysed from the waist down, was “the star of the show”.

“Ephraim set the crowd on fire with his fine posing routine and flawless definition,” Walsh said.

“Di Akurangi (Metcon gym owner)won best female posing routine with a beautiful Maori-themed number that captivated the audience.”

Gisborne’s Johnny Walsh won the men’s overall physique class.

“Winning an overall title in your first show is unheard of and he pulled it off in style,” Tawhiri Walsh said.

“Rimu Moeau, also in his first show, won the athletic category.”

Other notable local results came from Trina Walsh (second, woman’s physique), Lenny Wawatai (first, masters men over 50 years), Dean Cameron (second, masters men over 40), Tony Evans (second, masters men over 50) and Ngahuia Bristowe (first, open figure short)

“Olivia Scott (physique, tall women) and Kayla Tobin (women’s shape) competed for the first time and both have vowed to get back onstage,” said Tawhiri Walsh.

Overall results Figure champion: Bronwyn Carter (Tauranga)

Shape: Trudi Jacobs (Napier)

Women’s physique: Christine Henwood (Auck)Board shorts: Elijah Matalomani (Taur)

Men’s physique: Johnny Walsh (Gisborne)

Men’s athletic: Rimu Moeau (Gis)