Top bodies win awards

Alison Richards won her fourth straight title at the Hawkes Bay body building championships

The Whanganui bodybuilding contingent who attended the NABBA Hawkes Bay Bodybuilding Championships came up trumps at Taradale High School last weekend.

Four locals won their classes at the event, while City Gym's veteran competitor Jan Dixon went on to claim the Ms. Hawke's Bay Physique title, the overall championship, after claiming the women's open short grade.

Inspire Gym's Mark Kaipo won the Masters Athletic 40+ from a good field of four contenders.

Club Fitness representative Alison Richards claimed the Senior Figure 50+ class against a Joy Crockett, with Richards having now won four from four shows, under the tutelage of nutritionist/trainer Audrey O'Keefe.

O'Keefe said Richards intends to do the Asia-Pacific show in Wellington in early October, which will be a lead-in to the nationals back in Napier over Labour Weekend.

O'Keefe has also helped newcomer Susan Smith, out of the Revitalise Health and Fitness Centre, who has lost 42kg in sixteen months to regain her self confidence with her new figure.

"I had to do something to better my life," Smith said.

"I also set a long term goal of standing on stage in a bikini at a body building competition.

"I have worked hard, gone without so much of the foods I used to love, and followed and trusted the process set down by Audrey."

She then stood in front of 400 people in the Hawke's Bay last weekend and "rocked it".

"It was awesome to have reached my goal...and have kick started the rest of my life."

Smith's next goal will be to compete at home as the NABBA Manawatu Body Building competition will again be held in Whanganui in March.