Bodybuilding: Daughter muscles in on mum's sporting success

Jan and Shareece Dixon are poised to become heavyweights in the sport. Photo/Stuart Munro

Two Wanganui bodybuilders achieved a rare feat at the South Pacific International Natural Bodybuilding Championships in Taupo last weekend.

Mother and daughter Jan and Shareece Dixon claimed category wins in the over-40 and teenage bodybuilding classes.

Wanganui City Gym coach Pat McNamara said this was a rare feat.

"I know mothers and daughters have won titles before, but for them to win it on the same day is pretty rare and the first time I can recall, certainly from this gym anyway."

And he should know, he's trained many bodybuilders to win national and internationals titles over many years.

While Jan Dixon has won numerous titles, including national titles in New Zealand and Australia, her daughter was competing for the first time since beginning training just three months ago.

Natural competitions are drug-tested events and the Taupo competition is the only natural championship in New Zealand.

"Jan has been in the game for about seven years and Shareece only walked in and out of the gym now and again, but after seeing her do a bit of training and talking to her I could see something in her.

"When you spot someone like her you know immediately they're up for it. Bodybuilding is not for everyone because there's a lot of dedication required and in the end it's all up to the individual.

"I'm happy to help train people who show dedication and she was certainly up for it," McNamara said.

Shareece, 17, works as an engineer for Wanganui company GDM, so her training was limited to early mornings, although arriving shortly after her mum who finished her daily routines about 3.30am before returning to work on the family sheep and beef farm in the Turakina Valley.

"I used to come into the gym and do a little bit of training, but after working with Pat he made me work toward the Taupo championships," Shareece said.

"I enjoyed it, although it was hard work despite the early mornings."

Diet plays a huge part, especially in the lead-up to competition.

"We had to start immediately for Shareece including a cut up diet along with training," McNamara said.

"Cut up diets means excluding fats and her eating plenty of high proteins and carbs. And when I asked her to do things she was up for it, although at the beginning she gave me a few sideways glances. She did it, though, and that's what make her special."

Although originally reluctant, Shareece is now in training for show in Wellington in six weeks.

"After I talked her into Taupo she said she would do it, but would give the Wellington show a miss. After the Taupo show she's keen for Wellington now," McNamara said.