A Florida Bodybuilding Perspective

Sept. 4, 2007

Well it has been almost two weeks now since the finale of promoter Deke Warner’s Florida State Open Masters Bodybuilding, Fitness, and Figure show put on in Orlando. And the IFBB North American came off without a hitch last weekend albeit the usual judging controversies. This week’s bodybuilding, fitness, and figure event is the Gulf Coast Championships in Ft. Myers, Florida, which we will discuss after a brief review.

Deke’s show was indeed another terrific premier Florida championship show. Deke’s knowledge is enhanced by his experience as the National Physique Committee Vice Chair of the Central District of Florida and former bodybuilder himself. With 97 athletes competing in that competition sometime referred to as the “Mr. Florida” show it was a long day working our way through prejudging quarter-turns and the night show routines and guest posings. The extras such as the Polynesian dancers coaxing judges Peter Potter and Tim Gardner into their routines were priceless. Some of the areas winners included Gene Schlossberg, promoter of the recent Ancient City Competition in St. Augustine who took second place in the over 70 year old group. That’s not bad for a man 78 years young. Daniel Massey who trains with John Mier of Premier Physiques (www.PremierPhysiques.net) at World Gym on Beach Blvd. took the bodybuilding heavyweight and overall. My buddy Kathy (Wild Kat) Connors who recently moved back to Jacksonville, she took the women’s bodybuilding overall award. She then placed highly at the IFBB North American last weekend. And Matt Zuber who took the Ancient City bodybuilding heavyweight and overall award, he also took third in Orlando. Get all the scores at www.DekeWarner.com.

Rumors swept through the competitor’s conversations at the IFBB North American when an entourage of Mexican nationals embarked on the event along with representation of Mexico on the judging panel. We will be sure to ask Judge Tim Gardner about the controversy in our radio interview with him (ESPN 1420 am and www.BodybuildingFitnessFigure.com) this afternoon. However, we now turn our attention to the Gulf Coast Championships in Ft. Myers, on Sept. 8. Matt DiRenzo is the show promoter and with Beverly, his wife operates a gym in Ft. Myers. Beverly took second place at the IFBB North American! She vows to put on her best for the judges and audience at the NPC Nationals in Dallas in November. Plus, we can confidently say they will be ready to put on a terrific show weekend. The Gulf Coast Championships is a IV-A level NPC amateur level show open to athletes nationwide and has a long and proud tradition, which always draws a strong group of competitors and fans alike.

Several years ago Matt found himself in the hospital fighting for his life in critical condition with an infection the Friday before the Saturday show. Bev and other family members had to carry on with pulling off the show, while worrying about Matt and all under threat of Hurricane Francis that bore down on them. They had to change venues due to the storm. Several judges could not get to the location from outside of the area and guest poser IFBB Pro Darrem Charles went to great lengths driving across the state ahead of the storm to make the event and do his routine to a sell out crowd on generator power! Considering current weather forecasts this weekend’s show should be a piece of low cal cake!

Find out more about the Gulf Coast Championship Bodybuilding, Fitness, and Figure Show at www.GulfCoastChampionships.com. See you at the show and remember to stay pumped!