Bodybuilders show their stuff
14 October 2015
STATES BOUND: Kawerau’s Rota Elliott will return to the United States next month in search of another title.
KAWERAU bodybuilder Rota Elliott is not finished with the United States yet.
Elliott said at the end of last year he was not satisfied with winning a Natural Olympia World Championship age-group title in San Diego – he wanted more.
Next month Elliott will chase that aspiration at the Natural Olympia and MuscleMania World Champs in Las Vegas. He earned his spot in the American event by winning the open men short class and the overall title at INBA South Pacific Champs in Taupo in August.
Elliott said he was happy to have the chance to challenge himself on the international stage and compete with the best natural bodybuilders in the world.
“The main draw card for me are these competitions are drug tested where all competitors are tested before the show and the overall winners are tested after the show. It is very thorough and professionally done and the fact that you’re competing against drug-free athletes like myself is very gratifying.”
Rota said bodybuilding is a lifestyle which requires commitment, persistence, planning and psychological determination.
“Bodybuilding to me requires a combination of three disciplines – a well-structured weight training regime, dedication to the cardio vascular exercise and a well-disciplined nutrition plan.”
Meanwhile, three Whakatane bodybuilders competed at the NABBA New Zealand National championships in Auckland on Sunday.
Competing under the Sunny Gymz banner, Roy Baxter, Wendy Sole and Ernie Schicker all earned national titles in their respective classes. It was Baxter’s 10th national title and his win on Sunday came in the masters 60-plus category. Sole took out the women’s physique 50-plus section and Schicker won his maiden national title, claiming the masters 50-plus crown.
Team spokesman Marty Niao said the three bodybuilders had put in a lot of effort.
“As always, nationals is the pinnacle event on the bodybuilding calendar and the calibre of athletes was at its highest. All three athletes proved too strong for their competition and I was hugely proud of them all, even more so that all three proved that this sport has no age limits.
“They honestly have bodies that most people in their 20s would envy. The dedication they show day in day out and not just the time spent in the gym, but the discipline outside with regards to dieting paid off and it showed when they were on stage.
“I was selected again to judge and it was an extremely proud moment to see our athletes be rewarded with their titles, especially when I see how much dedication they have all put in this past year.”
Source: Whakatane Beacon
Photo Supplied.