Lakeland Classic: Darrem Charles Warmup For the Olympia Next Week
Sept. 21, 2007
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Lakeland Classic to Feature NPC Greats & IFBB Pro Darrem Charles
Deb & Jack Callahan always put on a terrific Lakeland Classic, which is scheduled this year on Saturday September 22, at the Branscomb Memorial Auditorium, a venue with ample seating of 1500. This National Physique Committee sanctioned Level II show is open to athletes in surrounding counties only, which means no doubt it will draw a strong area fan base of support for their local hunks and honeys. Everyone is welcome to come support the sport and get a view at some competitors that no doubt will be competing elsewhere around the state and on the national stage.
Many will travel from around the Southeast to Lakeland on Saturday to get a close up view of guest poser IFBB Pro-bodybuilder Darrem Charles. Darrem’s appearance on stage in Lakeland comes only one week before he steps onto the Olympia stage in Vegas to pursue of the most coveted title in professional bodybuilding. This rather makes the Lakeland show Darrem's final warm up routine for the Olympia. One week ago Charles took second at the 2nd Annual IFBB Atlantic City Pro show. Although Johnny Jackson took first place Charles always causes jaws to drop at the sight of his combination of symmetry and muscle striation along with exceptional stage presence and innovative routines.
IFBB Pro-Fitness competitor Shannon Dey, an Ormond Beach, Florida resident will also perform as she does quite often at shows around the country. Dey is one of the champions of a sport that has its trials on a local level as many ladies have steered away from fitness entering instead into figure competitions. The required elements in figure competitions are not nearly as rigorous and don’t pose the threat of injury that fitness routines are perceived to. Dey is steadfast in striving to build the sport holding seminars and training for ladies such as her “Bombshell Figure & Fitness Academy” on Sept. 28-30 at Boom Athletic Club in Ormond Beach (www.shannondey.net). In getting the word out about the sport it doesn’t hurt that Dey and her husband are the new owners of Southern Muscle Plus the only regional publication in the nation that comprehensively covers the bodybuilding, fitness, and figure competitions on a regular and consistent basis.
Northeast Florida fans of bodybuilding attending the Lakeland Classic will also have the opportunity to see one of their own “Lucy Wilson” in her inaugural run as a member of the panel of judges for the event. Pete Fancher will be the head judge along with a panel that include some of the people I consider friends including Deke Warner, Tony Curtis, Chris Eaddy and other well-known supporters of the sport. Wilson won the overall at the 2006 Hurricane & Typhoon Bay Championships, a Tim Gardner production the anniversary of which was just last weekend. Plus, Wilson won the 2006 Southeastern USA that Chris Eaddy and Debi Williams promote, which will be coming up again in two weeks on October 6 at the Lyman High School in Longwood, Florida (the Orlando area: www.SoutheasternUSA.com).
Yes, these shows are something of a soap opera. When you attend shows regularly you start to recognize familiar faces, develop friendships and better understand the challenges before the athletes and support staff. Not only do many of us have the desire to recognize the achievements of the athletes that challenge themselves to be their best, but also to continue to promote the sport of bodybuilding, fitness, and figure to become the best it can be.
Prejudging is at 10am and the evening show will be at 6pm. Branscomb Memorial Auditorium is located at 111 Lake Hollingsworth Dr., Lakeland, Florida 33801 (punch it in mapquest!). For more information visit www.debsgym.net. or call Deb Callahan at 683-9300. Email address is dgym@tampabay.rr.com.
Stay Pumped & See you in Lakeland!
For a view of Darrem Charles' posing at the Dexter Jackson Classic held earlier this year in Jacksonville, Florida visit my website http://www.bodybuildingfitnessfigure.com/videos/DexterJacksonClassic2007.html