One of the world's top 10 bodybuilders will judge the rippling muscles on show in Masterton this weekend.
The town hosts the New Zealand Federation of Body Building North Island Championships for the fourth year running. The event is expected to attract up to 50 contestants, said Terry Hills, New Zealand
Federation of Body Building organiser.
Mr Hills said guest judge at the Masterton Town Hall show is Moe El Moussawi, 36, who is the only professional Kiwi bodybuilder to twice compete at the Mr Olympia contest in the United States.
Mr El Moussawi is an Auckland-based businessman who emigrated to New Zealand from Lebanon in 2002 before storming his way up the global bodybuilding ladder.
"Moe was placed ninth in 2008 and 10th last year - ranking him in the top 10 bodybuilders on the planet," Mr Hills said.
Registrations for the Masterton show start on Friday evening and the list of hopefuls is set to include Bevan (over 100kg open men's) and Rachel Mackenzie (open figure short), who are owners of the Wai Weight private gym in Masterton, a major sponsor of the event.
Fellow Wai Weight members also set to compete include Sheryl Blade (over 55kg open physique women), Linda Oldfield (over 45 senior figure) and Sarah Beesley (over 35 senior figure).
The Masterton show is a qualifying round for the NZFBB New Zealand Championships to be held in Auckland on October 16.
Judging for the show in Masterton starts at 11.30am on Saturday and finalists will battle it out at the same venue from 5pm.
Tickets for judging cost $15 and entry to the finals cost $25. A combo ticket for both events costs $35 and a finals only VIP pass costs $45. Entry for children under 12 is half price.
Tickets are available through Ticketek, at Chanel Court Motel in Masterton, and through Wai Weight private gym.
