Bodybuilding: Locals firmly in contention

Sasha Crafar (left), Thomas Tataurangi, Audrey O'Keefe, Mark Kaipo and Alison Richard with the trophies that qualify them for the national bodybuilding championships at Palmerston North this year. Photo/Supplied

Five Wanganui athletes have qualified for the nationals this year after posting podium finishes at the Hawke's Bay Amateur Bodybuilding Association championships at the weekend.

Audrey O'Keefe and Sasha Crafar of ReVitalise Health and Fitness Centre and Alison Richard, Mark Kaipo and Thomas Tataurangi of Club Fitness brought home the medals from a competition featuring 90 competitors.

O'Keefe, who has competed for three years, said the Hawke's Bay event was one of the largest regionals in recent times and the Wanganui contingent were up against stiff opposition from throughout the country, trying to qualify for the nationals in Palmerston North in late October.

O'Keefe won the Senior Physique Women 40+, while her clubmate Crafar finished second in the Novice Figure Short.

Richard claimed third in the Senior Physique Women 50+ , Kiapo won the Novice Athletic Tall and Tataurangi was second in the Open Physique Men Tall.

"We all qualified for the nationals, so that's great," O'Keefe said.

"It was a huge competition and we faced tough company.

"It was particularly good for Sasha to place.

"She's only began bodybuilding this year after losing 25kg, while Ali [Richard] has only just returned after a 19-month break from the sport.

"I think we all intend competing at the nationals in Palmerston North, apart from Sasha.

"She's planning to go on her OE, so won't have time to train," O'Keefe said.