Archive for February, 2012

Hey there!  In this instalment of JP’s Bodybuilding Corner, John and I are going to review and congratulate the competitors from Newfoundland and Labrador that have competed at the national level and have won their weight/height class. We’ll start off with the first competitor to win a weight class and then go in chronological order. If any past winners are left off this list, a sincere apology, we’re going by memory so we aren’t claiming this is an official list and we would love to know the details of other winners. Congrats to all!

Kristian Alexander, 2001 Canadian Bodybuilding Championships, 1^st place Heavyweight Class

John (“JP”): Kristian had competed multiple times prior to winning this competition. Kristian was a pretty huge guy with good condition and symmetry overall. He had a very impressive, powerful looking physique in 2001. He currently preps other competitors for competition.

Andy: I’ve known Kristian since we were both in high school.  He has a huge amount of knowledge and passion for this sport. Congrats to him for being the first Newfoundlander to win a National title. Kristian knocked on the door to a pro card that day! IMO a strong case could be made that on that day in 2001, next to Pro Frank McGrath, Kristian had the best men’s physique thatNewfoundlandever brought to a Bodybuilding stage to date. Check out his conditioning; he wasn’t just lean, he had a hardness to his physique that is impressive and extremely rare. A serious knee/leg injury prevented him from taking it to the next level in the years to follow. Nevertheless, he earned the title, Canadian National Champ, something that only 6 people have accomplished to date.

Frank McGrath, 2003 Canadian Bodybuilding Championships, 1^st place Super Heavyweight Class and Overall winner

Frank’s Competition History:

• 2000 NLABBA Provincials 1^st place Heavyweight Class and Overall winner

• 2001 CBBF Nationals Super Heavyweight Class, 6^th place

• 2003 CBBF Nationals 1^st place Super Heavyweight Class and Overall winner (Awarded IFBB Pro Card)

• 2004 Toronto Pro Invitational, 12^th place

• 2009 IFBB Tampa Bay Pro, 9^th place

• 2011 Toronto Pro Invitational, 4^th place

• 2011 IFBB Tampa Bay Pro, 3^rd place (Qualified for Mr. Olympia)

• 2011 Mr.Olympia

JP: Since the minute Frank first stepped on stage it was easy to see he was destined for greatness.  Frank isNewfoundland’s only IFBB Pro bodybuilder and he has suffered much adversity since becoming a pro. A few years ago Frank suffered a serious triceps tear, from which he recovered and went on to compete in 2009. Then, some time after that first injury he was in a very serious car accident which could have ended his career as a bodybuilder; however he has since recovered and competed three more times, most recently in the 2011 Mr.Olympia.

Andy: I was there to see Frank compete in 2000 when he won the Provincial Overall title in his early 20’s. (21, I believe, probably a record for NL) I had the privilege to design his posing routine for his first Pro show and was there to see him compete in the 2004 Toronto Pro Show. Frank dominated the 2003 Canadian Nationals to capture his Pro Card; the first and only Newfoundlander to do so.  It’s awesome to see Frank overcome the obstacles that he has seen in recent years and come back and kick ass! Like JP said, Frank’s car accident was very serious, but he proved the doctors wrong by returning stronger then ever! There is a great article on him in the most recent issue of Flex magazine. Frank is just now coming into his prime as a bodybuilder and competitor. He is a great spokesperson for the sport, and I know that the sky is the limit for what he can accomplish. 

Scott Gillam, 2003 Canadian Bodybuilding Championships, 1^st Bantamweight Class

JP: Scott won a provincial show here in 1999. Scott fills out his frame very well, and that coupled with spot-on conditioning made him unbeatable in his weight class at the Nationals in 2003.

Andy: I saw Scott compete a number of times including his Provincial win. I agree with JP, Scott is a very complete bodybuilder with no weak points. Excellent structure and balance on his frame.

Zaid Adamo, 2010 CBBF Nationals, 1^st place Men’s Lightweight Class and 1^st place Classic Short

JP: I distinctly remember watching the 2009 NLABBA provincials Overall pose-down and seeing Zaid hit a back double bicep pose. Zaid’s back was popping like crazy with deep grooves separating each muscle and veins and graininess all over the place. He has a good amount of well-developed muscle. Zaid is originally from Iraqwhere he competed two times before coming to Newfoundlandand winning the NLABBA provincials in 2009. He has thick mature muscle, good shape and brings shredded conditioning. It’s no surprise he placed 1^st in his class at Nationals.

Andy: I agree with JP, it was no surprise at all that Zaid became a National Champ. He is a serious competitor that brings his “A” game to the stage. He has head-to-toe, ultra-striated conditioning with deep separation in the muscles. Zaid is the definition of the bodybuilding term “peeled”

Angela Dove, 2011 Canadian Natural Physique Championships, 1^st place Bikini Medium

JP: Since Angela began competing in 2009 she has competed four times (twice provincially and twice nationally). Provincially, she has won the Overall title every time she has competed. Nationally, she won her Class in 2011 at her first National show. That means she has won her Class 3 out of the 4 time she has competed. This is an outstanding track record for such a short period of time.

Andy: That is very impressive JP, wow. Angela is a very driven person, not only an outstanding competitor but also a mom and business owner. She has a very balanced physique and was the first female from our Province to capture a National title!

Shawn Gambin, 2011 Canadian Bodybuilding Championships, 1^st Place Bantamweight Class

JP: I had the opportunity to witness firsthand Shawn’s progress week after week as he prepared with Andy for his last two competitions. Shawn’s physique changed steadily, week after week, every week. He just kept getting leaner and leaner. I would see him one week and think well he probably can’t get any leaner than this, this isn’t even human and the next week he would show up at the studio with tendons popping out between his abs and serratus. Out of all the competitors I have seen in real life, before the 2011 Nationals Shawn had the most shredded upper body. Not to say his legs weren’t in shape, but his upper body didn’t even make sense. Shawn has a tiny waist, big arms, round shoulders, a detailed, shredded back and just an awesome genetic shape. He mopped the floor in his Class at Nationals, 2^nd place wasn’t even close. Not to mention Shawn is one of the most humble, mild-mannered people I know. Good luck with round two at Nationals Shawn, I pity the guys who have to stand next to you!

Andy: Working with Shawn is awesome, he just puts his nose to the grindstone and gets it done!  Shawn’s crazy conditioning combined with his tiny waist and muscle fullness make him a Freak! When using the term “Freak” to describe a competitor it means they have that shock value. There are lots great physiques that can carry plenty of size, and also be in wicked shape, but they still might lack that wow factor. When Shawn walks out on stage he has that wow factor. This isn’t just my opinion, the straight first place votes he received in his Class at Nationals from the judges is proof that they agree.

Shawn’s also a very intelligent and hard-working competitor. He has a plan mapped out, knowing what he wants to bring to the stage the next time.  When he hits the stage in 2013, it’s going to be Freak show x 10!

I’m tagging the Champs here in this post. Congrats. Also, I’d like to mention the great work being done by NLABBA, let’s see some more people from our Province join this exclusive club and become National Champs in 2012!