Author Topic: Bodybuiders' Big Memorial Day Weekend (Read 4602 times)

stuntmovie · « **on:** May 27, 2007, 05:33:17 PM »

This three-day weekend started with the NPC California Bodybuilding/Fitness Championships promoted by the capable John Lindsay at the Vet's Memorial in Culver City. Many more than 100 contestants participated and it was a well run but long show. The finals started at approximately 6:30 Saturday night and all of the trophies were finally distributed around 11:00 pm with hardly any disagreements from the fans.

That surprised me because I was one of the only few who had a couple of disagreements with the official judging staff and can recall in the old days when it wasn't uncommon to have a few tomatoes hit the stage in the vicinity of the announcer when decisions were rendererd that were not entirely favorable by the rambuncious fans.

In that respect, things have changed for the better; I guess!

I don't have an official score sheet so don't look here for the results but I'll post a couple of shots that were taken by my less than dependable digital camera. (Anyone known what technical termenology I have to use when I tell the camera dealer that I want a digital camera that will not make me wait 15 to 20 seconds between each shot? Adn that will allow me to shoot bodybuilding events that have a fast enough shutter to allow the photos to be sharp and clear and not blurry?)

I'll include a couple of examples to show what I mean. As you can see I am not a pro photographer. I consider it LUCK when I get a sharp, clear, indoor shot.

Here is the winner of the overall Cal contest. He is now eligible to enter the USA this July. Sorry not to have full details of this great athlete.

stuntmovie · « **Reply #1 on:** May 27, 2007, 05:58:19 PM »

Here's one of those blurry shots that I mentioned above.

At this contest (The Cal) I was most impressed by a relatively new contender by the name of Mike Jackson. He competed as a hvywt and has a hell of a lot of potential. He won his class at the Contra Costa (a national qualifier) event a couple of weeks back and just might be getting his feet wet in the USA. I had him placed 2nd in the Cal heavies but he was officially placed third. It was a close call and I do think that the judging was fair.

Great to say that his wife won the overall women's bodybuilding title and plans to enter the USA.

More photos to follow.

Tomarrow is the Venice Beach Contest so I'll shoot some outdoor shots in the hopes of getting better photos. Following are a couple of photos I shot this afternoon shortly after the prejudging (finals tomarrow - Monday). There were about 80 contestants and Joe Wheatly is doing a great job making it bigger and better than ever. And I say that with all due respect to Bill.

stuntmovie · « **Reply #2 on:** May 27, 2007, 06:01:23 PM »

Bob at the BB.com booth - always the man to support the sport. Venice Beach Contest, Sunday , Prejudging.

stuntmovie · « **Reply #3 on:** May 27, 2007, 06:03:25 PM »

Photo opportunities galore..... Venice Beach, Sunday Prejudging, Memorial Day weekend.

texasbubba · « **Reply #4 on:** May 27, 2007, 06:08:37 PM »

Quote from: stuntmovie on May 27, 2007, 05:33:17 PM

This three-day weekend started with the NPC California Bodybuilding/Fitness Championships promoted by the capable John Lindsay at the Vet's Memorial in Culver City. Many more than 100 contestants participated and it was a well run but long show. The finals started at approximately 6:30 Saturday night and all of the trophies were finally distributed around 11:00 pm with hardly any disagreements from the fans.

That surprised me because I was one of the only few who had a couple of disagreements with the official judging staff and can recall in the old days when it wasn't uncommon to have a few tomatoes hit the stage in the vicinity of the announcer when decisions were rendererd that were not entirely favorable by the rambuncious fans.

In that respect, things have changed for the better; I guess!

I don't have an official score sheet so don't look here for the results but I'll post a couple of shots that were taken by my less than dependable digital camera. (Anyone known what technical termenology I have to use when I tell the camera dealer that I want a digital camera that will not make me wait 15 to 20 seconds between each shot? Adn that will allow me to shoot bodybuilding events that have a fast enough shutter to allow the photos to be sharp and clear and not blurry?)

I'll include a couple of examples to show what I mean. As you can see I am not a pro photographer. I consider it LUCK when I get a sharp, clear, indoor shot.

Here is the winner of the overall Cal contest. He is now eligible to enter the USA this July. Sorry not to have full details of this great athlete.

Thanks for such a positive post. It is nice to hear that people do appreciate promoters and the hard work they put forth to ensure competitors a stage in which to present themselves. Kudos!

stuntmovie · « **Reply #5 on:** May 27, 2007, 06:12:32 PM »

Here's Milos, front and center at the Cal in support of all the contenders. I never did ask if there was a gathering to respond to any questions prior to the evening finals.

cswol · « **Reply #6 on:** May 27, 2007, 08:09:09 PM »

the winner in the first pic is kevin aka "big-swole" I trained at 2pm and saw tony freeman over at the headblade booth................... .I will be training doing bar work tomorrow at the sand pit since the weight pit will be closed........keep an eye out for me if anyone is around.

tommywishbone · « **Reply #7 on:** May 27, 2007, 08:13:35 PM »

Jon Lindsay is a good promoter, and a straight shooter. I'll always remember one day at Gold's Venice.... Jon walked by and Rico said, "Good afternoon Tweety Bird." Dudes, we fell on the floor laughing. Still makes me smile.

bigdumbbell · « **Reply #8 on:** May 28, 2007, 08:05:30 AM »

Quote from: stuntmovie on May 27, 2007, 06:12:32 PM

Here's Milos, front and center at the Cal in support of all the contenders. I never did ask if there was a gathering to respond to any questions prior to the evening finals.

nice hair color

SteelePegasus · « **Reply #9 on:** May 28, 2007, 08:11:38 AM »

who is that chick in the white next to milos? why didn't you take pictures of her instead of him?>

stuntmovie · « **Reply #10 on:** May 28, 2007, 05:22:57 PM »

I did, SP. Look close! She's in the picture!

OK, to continue ,,,,,,,,, Once evey few years, I'm fortunate to attend an event that makes me proud to be an American. The most noteworthy event in my lifetime was witnessing the USMC Sunset Parade in Washington with the silent drill team ajacent to the Commandant's home. And I absolutely guarnatee that you'll feel the same if you ever get the chance to see it.

I feel the same way whenever I see the Blue Angels appearing from behind Diamond Head and doing some unbelievable maneuvers in the skies off Waikiki Beach. I don't think that there is a dry eye among the crowd of thousands after witnessing that performance.

And today it happened once more. And I got to thank Joe Wheatley for doing such a spectacular job to make that rare occasion a reality.

It stared around noon today at Venice Beach. The Marines were there, as well as the Army and the Navy; but the Air Force band was there in dress blues ready willing and able to start the ceremonies as our guys in uniform can make it happen .... no matter which one they ware.

The band played and everyone listened (I would estimate about 3,999 ears in all - I got one bad one). And while everyone listened, each and every contestant lined up on the stage with the Colors in the center (as well they should be) as out National Anthym commenced.

And every contestant had that look upon his/her face .... that look that says, "I'm proud to be an American and proud as hell to be here in this lineup on this beautiful Memorial Day!"

And then out of the east and as low as you can possibly go over a major metropolitan city, came the "FLYOVER". AAir Force C-17 straight and true and as beautiful as any flight I've ever seen in any George Lucan/Steven Speiberg movie.

One hell of an opening for a bodybuilding contest on Venice Beach. ANd one heck of a great job by Mr Wheatly.

(My good friend Eric Stein called it a Passover.)

Thanks , Joe! (Flyover photo attached)

stuntmovie · « **Reply #11 on:** May 28, 2007, 05:25:53 PM »

And gotta thank Mr Howard too for all the work he's done over the past few decades to make today's event a reality.

Here's Bill ...... Taken at today's event.

stuntmovie · « **Reply #12 on:** May 28, 2007, 05:27:31 PM »

And Roland was there and helped a lot .....

stuntmovie · « **Reply #13 on:** May 28, 2007, 05:29:34 PM »

And Bob too ....... Doing a great job as usual. I think he's in the tent in this shot.

timfogarty · « **Reply #14 on:** May 28, 2007, 05:31:11 PM »

Quote from: stuntmovie on May 27, 2007, 05:33:17 PM

I don't have an official score sheet so don't look here for the results

Men

Women

Pro Figure

stuntmovie · « **Reply #15 on:** May 28, 2007, 05:33:13 PM »

The Few , the Proud ...... The Marine

Proud ..... it was evident on the face of everyone this afternoon.

Joe did a great job to remind us that it was Memorial Day.

stuntmovie · « **Reply #16 on:** May 28, 2007, 05:37:20 PM »

No matter where one placed, there were no losers on this day.....

stuntmovie · « **Reply #17 on:** May 28, 2007, 05:39:07 PM »

Thanks, Joe .....

stuntmovie · « **Reply #18 on:** May 28, 2007, 05:40:26 PM »

And thanks to Bill for so many years of dedication ...

stuntmovie · « **Reply #19 on:** May 28, 2007, 05:41:51 PM »

And to all the contestants ...... Over 80 in fact.

bigdumbbell · « **Reply #20 on:** May 28, 2007, 05:43:33 PM »

beautiful day is southern calif wear you sunblocker

stuntmovie · « **Reply #21 on:** May 28, 2007, 05:44:33 PM »

And to all the Americans who know what today means to us ..... and enjoyed this event so much ...

bigdumbbell · « **Reply #22 on:** May 28, 2007, 05:47:39 PM »

we never forget bro

onlyme · « **Reply #23 on:** May 28, 2007, 05:48:10 PM »

Man that show looks awesome. Really cool now they have all the booths and everything. Only saw that show once way back in the 80's sometime. Are there any other shows done outside like that. I know we had some BB shows here in hawaii done outside. really makes it a party atmosphere. Nice really nice. Stunt send me those pics of Pettis.

stuntmovie · « **Reply #24 on:** May 28, 2007, 05:49:53 PM »

But most of all, to all you guys and gals who wear or have worn a uniform with pride or have died in the service of our country .... Let's continue to remember them all more than one day each year.

Thanks to you all.

Semper Fi ...... Stunt