Lonnie Teper. Writer for Ironman Magazine. Master's of Ceremonies for hundreds of bodybuilding contests, and one of the more interesting persons in their in-depth knowledge of bodybuilders and the sport. But Lonnie also is promoting his own contest, the NPC Junior California, and putting his money where his mouth is.
Pasadena City College's Sexson Auditorium will be housing some of the hottest bodies around at the annual Junior California Bodybuilding and Figure Championships, set for June 3. The contest, in it's eighth year, is again being promoted and hosted by Lonnie Teper, an instructor in Health and Physical Education at PCC, and an award-winning journalist for Iron Man Magazine, a noted bodybuilding and fitness publication.
"I'm especially excited about this year's contest," said Teper, "because, for the first time, the show is open to any United States resident, not just California. I've already had one figure competitor from Cleveland, Ohio commit to the contest, and I've talked to several other out-of-state athletes in both bodybuilding and figure who have expressed great interest in competing.
"As always, some of the top bodybuilders in the world will be the featured guest posers. Last year we had both Ronnie Coleman, eight-time Mr. Olympia, and Jay Cutler, a three-time Arnold Schwarzenegger Classic champion. Timea Majorova, one of the top fitness models in the country, also did her fitness routine.
"This year Gunter Schlierkamp, the only guy ever to defeat Coleman since Ronnie won the 'Olympia in 1998, and the fourth place finisher at the 2005 Mr. O, is the main guest poser. Gunter is not only one of the three or four best bodybuilders in the world, he is one of the most popular with the fans.
Jose Raymond and Derik Farnsworth, both winners of the drug tested Team Universe Championships and contracted athletes with Sylvester Stallone's InStone supplement company, will also guest pose. "Raymond is coming all the way from Massachusetts to participate in the event", Teper said.
Teper, the most renowned emcee in bodybuilding (he has hosted 60 professional contests and 175 top amateur events over the past 18 years, including this year's Iron Man Pro at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium and the Arnold Classic in Columbus, Ohio) also noted that the contest is the only one in Southern California that still includes a Teenage division, and is the only competition in the country that features a Collegiate Division, which is open to any enrolled or registered student in the academic year, 2006.
"We've had several PCC students compete throughout the years in this event," Teper said, "and I've had several students tell me they are interested in taking part in this year's show. You can be either a full or part-time student."
Besides magazine coverage, Getbig.com and Graphicmuscle.com will be there, taking their pictures and having fun!
