Bodybuilding: Third titles tempt champions

Tracy Coyle and Aaron Vaisigano will aim for third consecutive titles in their respective classes on Saturday. Photo / Warren Buckland

Extra incentives are driving Tracy Coyle and Aaron Vaisigano to deliver third consecutive titles at NABBA Hawke's Bay's bodybuilding show on Saturday.

For Vaisigano, who finished third in his Mr Physique class at last year's Mr Universe event in the Philippines, the Taradale High School-hosted 11th annual show will mark the 10th anniversary of his first show as a junior. For shape class competitor Coyle, the 50 competitor-event will be her first since celebrating her 40th birthday yesterday.

While recent form - Coyle won the Miss Manawatu and Miss Auckland titles with the best female performance at both shows and Vaisigano won the Mr Physique title in Auckland - suggests both will start as hot favourites in their respective classes, neither are counting their chickens.

"You never know who is going to turn up on the day," Coyle said referring to the fact competitors from throughout the North Island will strut their stuff.

Saturday's show will be Vasigano's last before tackling the Napier-hosted nationals at Labour Weekend.

"I really want to win the Mr New Zealand title for a second time. I'm not going to the Mr Universe show in November because I want to be at my all-time best for the nationals ... flawless," Vaisigano said.

A personal trainer at The Lab Health & Fitness in Napier, Vaisigano, 29, has always won titles at Hawke's Bay-hosted shows and is keen for this record to continue on Saturday and in October at the Municipal Theatre-hosted nationals.

The self-trained bodybuilder who has a background in basketball and powerlifting has won the open Mr Physique titles at the last two Hawke's Bay shows. He won the junior version of the title twice.

Coyle is in her fourth year as a bodybuilder but has been involved with the fitness industry for more than 20 years.

The mother of two, who is a former member of the Electrotech Dance Crew, is a Yoga Mat teacher at her own studio, runs Bodyfit group fitness sessions and a Get Stage Ready Programme which helps fellow shape class competitors with their stage presence.

Coyle wants an invite to the Napier nationals so she can improve on the two fourth placings at her previous two nationals. The self-trained competitor's long-term goal is the world championships in Germany.

Before the nationals Coyle will tackle shows in Gisborne and Wellington. While regular training sessions are easy because of her work Coyle sticks to strict eating habits.

"I'm used to clever eating. I have lots of fresh vegetables and no processed stuff. I'm still allowed the odd glass of wine."

NABBA NZ's Hawke's Bay area representative Andrew Murray predicted the Hawke's Bay show will be the country's largest regional show for the third consecutive year.

"Our reputation for putting on big and good shows is the reason we have been given the nationals for the first time," Murray said.

On Saturday Murray said he believed the novice shape class will be one of the most competitive while the new Mr Body Boardshorts class will be popular with competitors and spectators.

"This class has opened up competitive bodybuilding to a new cross-section of men," Murray said.

There will be two sessions for Saturday's show; from noon to 3pm and an evening session from 6pm to 9pm. Tickets are available from Komida in Napier and Flex Fitness in Hastings.