INBA 9th Natural Olympia, November 18 2006.

The weekend of November 18, 2006 saw the Australian city of Perth, Western Australia buzzing with plenty of excitement. Above the city famous for its black swans, the “Formula One of the Sky”, also known as the RED BULL AIR RACE, was preparing to wow spectators, with pilots practising their flips and turns for the Sunday race spectacular.

On the ground there was a different type of buzz, one generated by the anticipation of the INBA 9th Natural Olympia. The best of the best in natural body building were gathering at the Perth Convention Exhibition Centre preparing to battle for the prestigious title and crown of Mr and Ms Natural Olympia.

Teams representing Australia, USA, Indonesia, New Zealand and even a lone competitor from South Africa were amongst some 20 countries who were all eager to collect as many titles for their country as they possibly could.

With over 200 competitors, registration for the show ran surprisingly smooth on Friday night, setting the pace for the actual event the following day.

The 9th Natural Olympia got off to an early start with the ever popular sportsmodels soon waking the crowd with their dazzling smiles and sheer beauty. The criteria for sportsmodels states the judges are looking for a ‘Model with muscles’ and certainly every competitor that was on stage looked like supermodel material.

After the three rounds; bikini, free dress and evening dress (all of which were carried out at intervals throughout the day) it was the beautiful brunette Emily Troise from Australia that took first place honours, followed closely by Tracey Taylor (AUS) and Daniella O’Mara representing Slovakia. Emily epitomised what it takes to be a true sportsmodel exhibiting sex appeal, poise and charisma and constantly charming the crowd with her on stage presence.

Next it was time for the physically challenged category. In my opinion both Michael Larry (US) and Mark Ashby (NZ) should have been given a gold medal for being a true inspiration to everybody in the crowd. However there was only one gold medal up for grabs and it went to the veteran American competitor. Both these guys received a huge round of applause from the audience for their outstanding efforts, all credit to them.

In the Junior Men division, third place went to Marc Thomas (NZ) who had a nice package with a good balanced physique. It was just unfortunate for Marc that he lacked a little of the conditioning that the first two place getters had achieved. Second placed Ali Ahmadi, from Afghanistan but living in Australia, was the smallest of the top three, yet what he lacked in height he certainly made up in full muscle bellies, nice delts and arms. It wasn’t enough to beat Ryan Fredericks (AUS) who had a magnificent taper with an amazingly small waist. Fredericks’ width through the delts ensured he looked great from every angle. Mark Hopkins and Steven Cameron made up the top five placing 4th and 5th respectively.

Next on stage was the Class 1 Mr Natural Olympia (Under 170cm). The ten men in this class were all in great condition with plenty of quality muscle. Fifth place went to last years’ champion Moses Ajala, (US) proving that the competition this year was definitely hot! In fourth we saw junior competitor Ali Ahmadi return to the stage to challenge some of the more seasoned athletes and hold his own rather well.
Third placed Hendra Kurniawan, from Indonesia, was not the biggest man on stage, yet he was tight with fantastic conditioning. He just needed a little more muscle on his frame to challenge the top two.

At 43 years of age, Matthew Nicholson, (AUS) is a seasoned competitor with over 80 shows to name. Nicholson has a physique that most competitors half his age would aspire to; great legs, tight waist and wide back. However it was to be Ramintas (AUS), the current Mr Australia Class 1, who won the division. Ramintas had lost none of his brilliant form from a few weeks back when he successfully won the overall Australian title for the third time. Joel has a very aesthetic physique, one the judge’s love: mass, balance and symmetry all in one.

In the women’s Figure Class 1 (Under 157.5cm) we saw Marie Saviane (AUS) return to the Olympia stage once again to successfully defend her title. Marie has dominated the figure class for the last few years. Her presentation and physique are always immaculate and this year was no exception. Being one of the hardest and leanest competitors, Saviane managed to maintain her femininity and looked gorgeous. Second placed Vivienne Krstic (AUS) had the slightly softer physique but still looked great with beautiful lines. In third place, master’s competitor Karen Flaherty (AUS) did well after a full year of consistently competing. Alicia Litchfield and Nicola Hubbert placed 4th and 5th in a very tough line-up.

When the Class 2 (170-175cm) Mr Natural Olympia men came on stage, Warren Clampit (AUS) received a warm welcome from his many fans in the audience. Clampit is a crowd favourite whenever he competes and it was obvious to those of us who saw him at the Australian titles three weeks earlier, he was ready to battle. Hayzer Cayli (AUS) and Justin Firgaira (AUS) were the same competitors Clampit had faced at the Australia’s, but instead of finishing third as he did a few weeks prior, Clampit won this time with a superb physique. Clampit’s sheer size and condition overpowered Cayli (2nd) and Firgaira (3rd) though both men were in the shapes of their lives - Cayli with his massive legs and Firgaira with classic shape and lines. Dian Gustiono 4th (Indonesia) and Keri Onyewu 5th (NZ) made up the top five.

It was then time for the Class 2 Figure (157.6-165cm) girls and here again we saw last years’ champion Sally Milne (AUS) lead the way. Milne just keeps improving every year. The added muscle she brought to the stage this year really filled out her lean physique beautifully making her the clear winner here. Lucy Hermans, 2nd (AUS) made her first trip to the Natural Olympia this year and what a debut it was! Lucy has all the makings of a champion and it will be interesting to watch her develop. Third placed Claire Van De Wildekamp (AUS) had both style and grace on stage though just a little soft in the hamstring/glute tie in to match the top two. Leanne McNamara (AUS) and Janteenee Biber (Thailand) came 4th and 5th.

Tim Martin (AUS) took first place in the Men’s Class 3 (175.1-180cm) beating out his closest competitor Joshua Lenartowicz 2nd (AUS). Though Lenartowicz was the heavier of the two, it was Martin’s impressive condition and great legs that gave him the added edge. Lenartowicz wowed the crowd with his size and creative Arnie routine, showing promise of another champion in the making. In third, last years’ Australian Masters champion, Craig Winter was in top form. Always happy to be on stage, Craig’s posing was very entertaining winning female fans with his cheeky routine.

Ms Figure Class 3 (Over 165cm) contestants graced the stage next. The competition between these long legged beauties was tough, with all girls being in such great condition. It was to be Michelle Nazaroff, (AUS) last years’ champion, who took first place with a beautifully balanced figure pulling just ahead of a nicely muscled Karen McGuiness (NZ) in second place. Third placed Catherine Hanson-Farid (United Arab Emirates) looked great onstage being in outstanding shape with an awesome six pack. Kristy Secker (AUS) was in 4th place with 5th place going to Kerstin Stassen (AUS).

Multi- titled Michael Waddington of Australia lead the way in the Men’s Class 4 (Over 180cm). His closest challenge came from towering Ken Mullen (US) who carries a great deal of balanced muscle for someone so tall. Ken’s condition was spot on but unfortunately his tan was not dark enough and we didn’t get to see him in the best light. In the end it was Waddington’s condition and brilliant symmetry that got him first place with Mullen second. Bradley Cope (AUS) came third. Possessing a good physique, there were no real faults with Cope just tough competition from the top two. Rounding out the top 5 were David Nazaroff (AUS) and Anthony Hopkins (AUS).

Joel Ramintas, Tim Martin, Michael Waddington and Warren Clampit then returned on stage to determine who would be the overall amateur Mr Olympia. All men were deserving champions but it would be Clampit’s day to reign.

In the Professional Men’s Division the top 5 consisted of Warren Clampit, Joel Ramintas, Hayzer Cali, Ken Mullen and Moses Ajala. All men had competed in various open divisions already. At the Natural Olympia competitors are allowed to compete more than once as most of them have travelled a great distance and therefore are allowed to showcase their physiques more than once.

Again it was Clampit who came out on top, winning not only the professional division but also the amateur Overall Mr Natural Olympia Title, equalling Ron Williams’ effort.

During the night show, the audience was treated to the spectacular performance of guest poser Ade Rai from Jakarta, Indonesia. Rai has not competed since 2000 yet could’ve easily stepped on stage and won whatever division he entered, such was his condition and amazing muscularity. The audience was spell bound by his hypnotic posing routine featuring traditional Indonesian music and costume which he stripped off once the music unexpectedly lead into heavy metal.

Mixed Pairs is always entertaining for the crowd and at the Olympia the standard is very high. The all Australian top five consisted of Vivienne Kristic and Joel Ramintas who worked exceptionally well together, their physiques balanced and complementing each other quite well. So well in fact that they clinched first place position from husband and wife team, Michelle and David Nazaroff. The Nazaroff’s were beautifully in sync, working together almost as one taking a well deserved second place. Kerstin Stassen and Brad Cope came third out of the ten high quality couples that competed.

In the Women’s Physique Class 1 we saw past champions rubbing shoulders with some high quality new comers. It seems there was a changing of the guards with previous champs not even placing in the top five. With a stunning physique and beautiful lines we saw Ra Paku from New Zealand taking this class from current overall Australian Champion, Kahla Bullemor. Bullemor had a nice V-taper and great conditioning but just needed a little more size on her frame to challenge Paku. Placing third was Trish Kane (AUS) who carried some good quality muscle but just needed to bring up her condition a little to match Paku and Bullemor. Gail Charles 4th and Eda Lackner 5th made up the top 5.

The tall girls came out to strut their stuff in the Women’s Physique Class 2. It was apparent straight way that the competition was going to be between Barbara Williams and Sheryl Neil both from Australia. Both girls presented well on stage posing meticulously, drawing attention from the judges. Neil had slightly more muscle on her frame than Williams, but it was Wiliams’ condition that won her first place. The great Tarren McCall from New Zealand came in third. I have never seen Tarren in any thing but great shape and this time was no different, it was just that the top two girls out muscled her on this occasion. In 4th place was Karen Martin (AUS) and 5th went to Edna Giuntini (AUS).

Vivenne Kristic returned to the stage for the third time in the Ms Figure Masters (40 - 49). Having already taken a silver medal in the open short class figure and a gold medal in the mixed pairs it seems this champion was on a winning streak, taking home another gold medal by winning first place. In second, Claire Van De Wildecamp just nudged out Karen Flaherty .Both these ladies proving consistent by already placing in the top three of their respective open classes. Catherine Hanson-Farid was in 4th with Esther Pedisic coming 5th out of twelve highly competitive ladies.

The Men’s Masters Division (40 – 49) was possibly one of the toughest classes of the day. Thirteen competitors all with amazing muscle maturity made this division particularly hard to judge. So much so, that there was an inconsistency with previous judgement decisions throughout the day. Hendra Kurniawan took gold with last years champ, Moses Ajala taking silver and Ken Mullen taking bronze. Matthew Nicholson got fourth in this division and herein lies the confusion, as Nicholson had already placed higher than the top two, Kurniawan and Ajala, in the short class with no deterioration to his condition. Oh well, such is bodybuilding. Craig Winter rounded out the top five.

Gail Charles from Australia won the Master Women Physique (40+). Beating out Eda Lackner (AUS), 2nd, Tarren McCall (NZ), 3rd, Karen Martin (AUS), 4th and Allison Jackson (AUS) 5th. Gail’s physique was beautifully balanced with good amounts of muscle on her upper and lower body. Eda and Tarren were neck and neck for second but in the end Eda’s package just nudged out the awesome condition of Tarren McCall. True inspiration from all these competitors!

The Men’s Master’s Division (50-59) just keeps getting better and better each year. With seasoned competitors moving up in age categories every year it’s going to be a tough class as each year goes by. Ian Bowden (AUS) won this class hands down. His condition and muscle mass could’ve given some of the younger men in the open divisions a run for their money. Charles Gaffiero (AUS) came 2nd with his wide upper body just pushing out Ray Langford 3rd (AUS). Ray’s physique is improving each time he steps out to compete. Not bad for all men in their 50’s. Carey Greentree (AUS), a past champion, came 4th and Frank Nilsen (AUS) a close 5th.

As with the Master’s Men, the Women’s Master Figure 50+ saw plenty of quality physiques on stage with Elaine Rauchwald from Australia winning this division. Elaine was in awesome condition with fantastic abs and detailed back. Lorraine Paciullio (AUS) a veteran competitor with a very pleasing shape came in 2nd place with Cheryl McAullay (AUS) in 3rd position. Noela Laggan 4th and Hilary Reid 5th rounded out the all Australian top 5.

And so we came to the end of yet another Olympia. The calibre of physiques and the camaraderie backstage amongst the competitors will be hard to beat next year when the Natural Olympia returns to Greece. No doubt, there are already champions out there planning and preparing for 2007, when once again the best natural bodybuilders of the world will show case their hard earned physiques.