Kiwis at Country Classic, Bendigo 07

The road to BENDIGO by Leanne Grindrod

We had been approached a few years ago at Muscle Mania about a new show in Melbourne that was laid out with the athletes in mind, with awesome prizes and atmosphere. With our disappointment from how Muscle Mania had been ran last year and lack of numbers we took an interest in this new show for 2007.

After checking out the website and emailing Craig Lucas, the organiser, our small team of Alex, Darrin, Jacqui, Shawn, Trevour and myself made plans to go over the 2007 Country Classic in Bendigo. I made a promise that I would focus on my health this year and rest from body building, so not preparing for the Country Classic was a struggle as I really wanted to give it a go. I kept myself busy though with clients and working with the boys as Nutritionist for the show.

We all had been keeping in contact with Craig Lucas about his show over the year, he was excellent at getting back to as with info and excitement with us coming over. Craig also helped the team put by not charging entry fee to help us fund wise get over to the event, so a huge thank you to Craig. We had organised a couple of raffle’s at Genetic’s Gym to raise some extra funds to help with first night accommodation in Melbourne, the awesome members help raise $260. Every little bit helps so thank to the team at Genetic’s Gym.

We had two of our friends Trevor and Shawn who have watched Alex train his guts out and eat clean for soo long - that they decided to come over as support and watch a professional ran show. Big thank you to them as they were awesome with their support of yelling, being taxi for a few days, and shopping with the girls on our last day in Melbourne. They found the whole thing fascinating with the preparation that athletes do, as they had no idea what was involved.

I was asked to judge the first three class until the head judge arrive also because of flight delay’s. I got to judge the Masters, first timers and figure class. The show started about 2.30pm and finish about 6pm, it started with a Moulon Rouge/Circus theme with many characters dancing around and one young lady doing gymnastics moves, the costumes were awesome and an exiting way to open a show with. Next came out some Can Can girls who also had some awesome costumes on, found out later on that Craig’s wife Vicki had made them all, wow!

I was very impressed with the opening of the show and it got people pumped for what was about to come on stage with the body builders. It was good to sit with my good friend Sandra Lee Jose, NABBA Physique champion and who write’s for Muscle Mag, we sat next to each other for the judging. It was fun judging the class’ and it was nice to see the Figure girls had nice symmetrical muscle to their frames, the Masters men were amazing and the fellow who won was a huge first timer. First Timers class was also good with all athletes caming in nice and lean, the winner had a nice symmetrical body.

There was a break after the first three class’ so I stepped down from the judging to go back stage and help Alex prepare for his Open Class. The atmosphere back stage was awesome, everyone was getting on and the back stage helpers were the best I have come across. The tanners and back stage marshals were great with the athletes, motivating them, making sure the tan’s were perfect. One tanner was Wayne Clampit who himself is an amazing bodybuilder and I think just last year won INBA Natural Olympia’s – he can tan me anytime, ha! There was some other guys from Dymatize who were also great with their bubbly personalities and good humour.

Darrin was going to be in soon, so his tan was checked and he started getting all pumped up for his class, some of the guys in his class were in the room with us which was motivating. Darrin over towered his competitors with his height ad looked one of the biggest up there. He had six competitors who were all looking in good shape and all very different types of bodies. Darrin did really well in his routine having only put it together really that morning, he he. He got a third placing in his line up which was great, though he looked better than the guy that got second as Darrin was bigger and leaner I think.

They did another posedown at the end while judging was done and sponsors had a chance to say some things about their products. Some super prizes were given away on the day, video cameras, sound systems, powders, wine, chocolates, digital cameras, framed pictures of the athletes etc.Came the time to call the placings of the Opens men where Alex was called as 2^nd, the crowd disagreed which was really nice as they booed. A very close call between Alex and the winner Charlie Duca. Alex really enjoyed his class with the quality guys he stood up with, the running of the show, helpers back stage and the awesome prize of Digital Camera and Silver Medal. After the show Craig had organised pizza and chicken nibbles and we all got to hang around and get to know each other better, athletes and sponsors.

Alex was on next, he pumped up for a good 15 minutes and got set for the hard line up he was about to go up against. There was total of seven and the hardest line up Alex has been up against with two Aussie Pro athletes Charlie Duca and Neil Gardner. Alex was totally focused and ready to give it his all. They started the Opens Men in an awesome way by having them in the dark, on a higher set stage with red flood light behind them – so all you could see was muscle men outlines. A smoke machine was set off to give a professional opening for the men, lights came on and they all came down from the stage and started to pose down.

The judges had a real hard job on their hands as what was in front of them were a very extreme assortment of bodies. They pulled Alex against every competitor as he stood out the most, they made him work it up there until he was completely stuffed. The back stage people were very good at bringing towels to wipe them down or give water to. Alex was on stage first for his routine which consisted of him in his army outfit and stripping it off, to say the audience like it would be under statement :o)

Having a show start earlier in the day and finishing early was the best as everyone wasn’t too tired to hang around and meet and talk about the day and what they had going for future goals. Next day we were invited back for a photo shoot at a local Bendigo Gym, Darrin and Alex oiled up and pumped up on the equipment. They had their photos taken working out together and then Alex had a full out session with the winner Charlie and new comer Victor, who didn’t compete but will be making appearance hopefully next year.

I really enjoyed hanging out at the photo shoot and the boys had fun with it also, we had a big full group with all of us outside the gym, which will no doubt go in the next issue of Craig Luca’s new Muscle Magazine. The day was awesome, the weather great and the guys feeling a lot fuller and statisfied with all the eating we did after the show. I would recommend the Bendigo show to anyone as it was a lot of fun and really respected by the organisers as well as mutual feeling between athletes, I wouldn’t mind taking a bigger team over for next year to give other Kiwi athletes a different event to aim at!

If you are keen for next year then send Lisa an email and she'll give you my contact details.

Leanne Grindrod