Whanganui hosts regional NABBA comp

Michaela Sullenberger, centre, winning the most competitive division at the 2017 NABBA Championships.
PHOTO / Supplied

Revitalise Natural Health & Fitness Centre will be trying to hang onto their Top Gym prize with a much smaller contingent at the NABBA Manawatu/Wanganui Championships tomorrow night.

For the third year in a row, Whanganui gets to host the regional competition, because Palmerston North has been award hosting rights for the 2019 NABBA NZ Nationals, being held on October 26-27.

After two years being held in the Royal Wanganui Opera House, tonight's show is in the War Memorial Centre, and the entry numbers are expected to be down from the 30 who took part last year, being around 15-20.

Revitalise's Audrey O'Keefe, NABBA's 2017 New Zealand Trainer of the Year, said three of her members are taking part, which is also all of the locals.

Five members of Revitalise took part last year, and their collective points from competition was enough to win the prestigious Top Gym prize after six years of trying.

This year, Human Movement Fitness Centre from Palmerston North are bringing over the most competitors from a single gym, but O'Keefe was still hoping her trio can deliver on the night.

"We're still going to try. I don't want to give back that trophy," she said.

"They've been training hard for at least 12 weeks."

Their leading hope will again be Michaela Sullenberger (former WHS student), who is out to retain her Ms Manawatu/Wanganui Shape crown.

Last year, Sullenberger won the most competitive division in Women's Novice Shape, going up against seven other entries, and was then judged overall best when lining up against the Open Shape entrants.

Revitalise's Taihape member Fiona Blyth won the Open Physique Women Short prize after six months preparation, and will be looking to do so again.

The gym's newcomer is Leane Bird, also from Taihape, and she will be entering her first competition.

All three have been through the usual O'Keefe crash-court diet with their training, and so will be looking forward to the afterparty at event sponsor Mint Cafe & Bar to finally get some guilty pleasure food.

Bodybuilders will check in between 9-10am this morning before briefing, then get ready for the judging show at 12pm.

They will return for the Evening Show at 5pm, during which the winners will be announced.

The public can watch the midday show for $15 and the evening event for $25, door sales and eftpos are available.

Top prize winners will qualify for the NZ Nationals in October.

Roll of Honour

Previous Top Gym winners were – 2013 City Fitness (Whanganui); 2014 Rangitikei Active Gym (Marton); 2015 Rangitikei Active Gym (Marton); 2016 Snap Fitness (Palmerston North); 2017 City Fitness (Palmerston North); 2018 Revitalise Health & Fitness (Whanganui).

By Jared Smith
Whanganui Chronicle 30/3/19