On April 14, 2006 in Panama City Beach, Florida, the first annual NPC Shannon Dey Fitness and Figure Classic was held in conjunction with the 27th annual NPC Southern USA Bodybuilding Championships. Promoter and NPC Northwest Florida Chairman Pat Sporer was very pleased with depth and quantity of fitness and figure athletes competing in Shannon’s first annual show. Peter Potter (NPC Vice President) served as the Head Judge that consisted of a panel of National level judges.
The first annual NPC Shannon Dey Fitness and Figure Classic drew competitors nationwide from the NPC . Top national competitors such as Gina Osterly, Jan Horn, and Alisha Archibold took stage in this Level 5 National Qualifying event. Over 60 figure and fitness athletes competed in this fun first time event. To much surprise, the over 40 Figure Division had 20+ competitors.
By nights end, it was Elisha Archibold who took home the overall Figure title with Bonnie Tyler slam dunking the overall Fitness Division title and Michele Myers takimg home the Masters Division title. This was Elisha’s last regional contest of her career. Four months later, Elisha earned her IFBB Pro Card by winning her class at the NPC Team Universe. Jan Horn who placed second in her class also went on to greater accomplishments by winning her class at the NPC Masters Nationals. Shannon and all the girls ended the evening with a few hours of fun and dancing at the official after party held at Spinanaker, the world’s most famous beach dance club.
At the conclusion of the 2006 NPC season, the Shannon Dey Fitness and Figure Classic had stamped it’s mark. Surprisingly, in it’s first year, this legendary first show drew the largest fitness and figure divisions in the South and one of the top five largest on the East Coast.
After a few weeks had past, this reporter had the opportunity to speak to Shannon regarding the surprisingly high number of National caliber NPC athletes who competed in her first show and the large number of overall entrants. According to Shannon, she was not surprised. “Over the past eight months, Pat Sporer and I have spent a great deal of time promoting for this event. It’s a National Qualifier and it’s early in the competitive season, Competitors can compete in front of a National caliber NPC judging panel. get critiqued, and then go back home and work on their weaknesses in plenty of time before the Pro Qualifiers in ther remainde rof the season. Panama City Beach is also absolutely gorgeous. It has to be one of the prettiest beaches in Florida and it is a very Fitness, Figure, and Bodybuilding friendly town. The town is rich in bodybuilding history thanks to Pat Sporers’ 27 years of commitment to the sport. The people who attended, came from all over the south. This audience knows the sport and is very vocal. That makes it even more fun.”
“Life is too short not to have fun while competing at these events. That’s why I tried to make this something special for the athletes. Little things such as all class winners received a tierra and sash. These things make a difference. Backstage my girls had fun. Everyone helping everyone, with a smile. This eased the tension and made it seem less like a contest and more like a group performance. Six months later, I am still getting emails from girls who competed telling me how much fun my show was for them” Pat Sporer is one the finest promoters in the country. His shows are extremely well run. Everything always goes smoothly. This is appreciated by the athlete. That’s a result from the 27 years of experience that he possesses. This experience allows me to do my thing on contest day. What I enjoy, is to be backstage with the girls and help out with whatever they need. From applying glue to suit,s or applying last minute tanner, I always want my competitors to know that I am there for them. said Shannon.
