A “Classic” West Coast Success Story
Well, the first NPC AmiLean West Coast Classic is in the books, and I gotta tell ya, it was more successful that even I had hoped. Nearly 150 contestants signed up to hit the stage at El Monte High School on Saturday (141, plus 65 crossovers, ended up competing), with over 1,100 people in the audience for the prejudging and finals.
Eli Blahut, a former “Rising Star” in my News and Views” column earlier in the year, made it two huge weekends in a row. The 5’5”, 180-pounder, who moved from back East to Venice, CA in February, won the Middleweight class at the Junior Nationals in Chicago the previous week before moving up to the Light Heavyweight class at my show and ending up not only with the division crown, but with the Overall title as well.
The 22-year-old beat a tough field en route to both his class and Overall crowns; Blahut bested Robert Farrow (Masters 40+ champion) to win the LHW class, then toppled SHW champion Rowdy Rusconi (2009 TOC Overall winner). Mohsen Ghorannevis (HW), Mike Gustavsson (MW), Nhon Ly (LW) and Dave Vito (BW) for the Overall.
In the women’s division, Riverside, CA’s Brenda Beitia took the Bodybuilding crown, while Darice Castro of Phoenix, AZ won the Overall in Figure, following up her victory in class “A”. Castro, who works with IFBB pro Felicia Romero, was one of a large contingent to come in from Arizona to compete; she’s now targeting the Team Universe in less than three weeks in hopes of getting a pro card.
Local star Khay Rosemond, the 5’0”, 95-pound dynamo from San Pedro, CA, followed up her Overall victory in Bikini at the Orange County Muscle Classic to take class “A” (in a great battle with Jennifer Dominguez) to win the Overall crown at the WCC.
Rafael Begluyan, a student at Pasadena City College who is trained by pro star Grigori Atoyan, also had a big night; Rafael won both the Novice Overall and the Collegiate division titles.
Top NPC competitor PD Devers opened the show with a guest posing exhibition, and Asia Monet Ray, daughter of Shawn Ray, and Mr. Olympia Jay Cutler also performed. If you watch the video at npcwestcoast.com (where complete contest results and a huge file of contest photos appear) , you can see the amazing Asia do her thing; as I say, she’s 4 going on 14, and a future Olympian.
Cutler, of course, was a huge hit; I announced on stage that Jay will win Sandow number four in September. Agree?
Brian Whelan, owner of Foothill Gym in Monrovia, CA, won the “Hans Hopstaken Most Inspirational Bodybuilder” award in honor of the former pro who passed away in 2002. Brian’s wife, Jennifer, won the Masters 35+ Figure Overall to make it a grand night for the Whelan’s as well; Brian was top four in two class, unlimited Heavyweight and Masters 40+. And blind contestant Austin Beaumont received the “Spirit” award for his courage in competing for the first time at age 50.
Phew…I’m still exhausted at noon on Monday. But, it’s a very happy “tired”, if you get my drift.
I’m out. Literally, and figuratively.
Go West, Young Lady; Tickets Available for Inagural West Coast Classic
Got en entry form Friday from the amazing Crystal West, a former New York attorney who competed last year in Figure, but who will be switching to Bikini this time around. The 45-year-old, currently residing in the Palm Desert area, graced the January, 2010 cover of IRON MAN Magazine last year with natural bodybuilding superstar Dave Goodin.
At 5’3″ and 105 pounds, West will be entering both the Unlimited and Masters categories at the inagural NPC AmiLean West Coast Classic Bodybuilding, Figure and Bikini Championships on Saturday (npcwestcoast.com) . I refused, however, to let West show how she’s the best—in a pull-up competition, that is. Ya see, this cerebral, conditioned gal owns two Open Women’s World records. One is for most added weight–a max lift pull-up of 79 pounds. The other is most consecutive pull-ups; West’s 36 smothered the old record of 27 and she completely obiterated the previous over 40 mark of 12. I did 1 1/2 the other day to put this into perspective. Or does it?
Anyway, Crystal is but one of many gems who will grace the El Monte High School Auditorium stage on Saturday; as of Sunday night I have 125 contestants on paper, with 48 of them crossing over. People can still enter–even the day of the show–but a late fee will now incur.
Since it’s open seating (plenty of seats are still available for both the pre-judging and the finals), get there as early as possible. Prejudging starts at 11 am, finals at 6 pm sharp.
And, don’t forget, this is your LAST chance to see the mighty Jay Cutler guest pose in So. Cal before the Ultimate Beef turns on the heat in defense of the Mr. Olympia crown he regained last year. Yeah, the first man EVER to lose, then win back the Sandow! Top USA contender PD Devers will also get down for the crowd–and wait until you see Sugar Shawn Ray’s 4-year-old little darlin’, Asia Monet, stun the crowd with her fitness talents.
It’s almost show time. As the dude with the deep voice says, let’s get ready to rumble.
Brignole, Whelan: The Incredible Journey
In every contest, there’s a story behind the story, if someone would at least try and look for it. Who doesn’t have an incredible, or at the least, compelling tale to spin. With regards to my upcoming West Coast Classic on June 26, Doug Brignole and Brian Whelan are just two of those accounts.
I’ve known Doug for 27 years; for those who read my 10-page interview with Brignole in the October, 2009 issue of IRON MAN, you’re aware of the incredible ups and downs of Doug’s life (if you never saw the piece, you can check with the magazine to see if there are any back issues available).
The former Mr. Universe retired from the game back in 1991, but nine years later returned to the stage as he won Light-heavyweight class at the Los Angeles Championships in his NPC debut. He was finally, at 40, officially hanging up the posing trunks.
Or at least he thought. Enter a pushy reporter who met Doug in May, 2009 at the Cheesecake Factory in Old Town Pasadena to conduct the interview (a city where Doug was raised, and but a block away from the original Brignole Fitness, a first-of-its-kind workout facility that folded 15 years ago). I strongly encouraged the now 49-year-old to consider two things. Start writing a blog for ironmanmagazine.com, concentrating on his love of the biomechanical aspect of training, and to getting back on stage again. He liked the first idea, wasn’t so keen on the latter.
But, I thought Brignole could show the world how great a 50-year-old can still look, and it certainly wouldn’t hurt the business aspects of his life (writer, personal trainer, television host, etc). He agreed to make the West Coast Classic his first appearance at a sanctioned show in 10 years (as a tune-up, Doug eventually decided to compete in the Memorial Day event at Muscle Beach, winning the 50 and over class).
Brignole was surprised at the excitement the news of his return brought with it. Tom Touchstone, a former NPC star, said he’s coming all the way down from Bakersfield to watch Brignole work his magic on the El Monte High School stage. Rory Leidelmeyer may be joining Tom in the audience, rooting Doug on. Perhaps Jon Aranita, too. How great would that be, the gathering of all these former standouts, in support of one of their former colleagues?
On the topic of support, can’t even guess how many fans will show up to pay tribute to Brian Whelan, who’s story is right out of the “Ripley’s Believe it or Not” mold.
On October 4, 2000 Brian was training legs at his Foothill Gym in Monrovia (15 minutes east of Pasadena). Then, all hell broke lose. His right quad tore, and the left leg pushed out while at the bottom of a rep on the leg press. Suddenly, Whelan had the horrific experience of having 1,200 pounds land on him, crushing his legs to the thud of 21 breaks of every type.
“It sounded like popcorn in the microwave,” Whelan said when I revealed the story in my News and Views column in the magazine nearly a decade back. “The Fire Department said it was the worst they had ever seen.
At the hospital Emergency Room, doctors wanted to amputate his right leg; at the last minute, they decided against it. “I woke up the next day with two logs, plus 16 plates, rods, and screws in both legs. All the nerves had been severed, so I had no feeling below the knees; fluid had entered my lungs via the torn arteries and I had lost 25% of my lung capacity.”
Twelve days later Whelan was released from Methodist Hospital in Arcadia; less than a year later Brian rolled up in his wheelchair and was on stage at the Orange County Muscle Classic and Venice Beach. “I competed in both while in the wheelchair in the men’s unlimited and won the HW at Venice. What a great moment!”
Brian said he wanted to compete again, this time standing, to show people his accident was just a “bump in the road.
“You had written an article about the accident, so it seemed right that your show be the one I do standing up again. Sort of full circle.”
He won’t be the only one standing when he returns to the stage sans his wheelchair for the first time in 9 years. I imagine every fan will be out of their seat in appreciation on this man’s implausible journey. And, Brian’s wife, Jennifer, will be close by; along with several other members of Foothill Gym (202 S. Myrtle Ave., Monrovia), Jennifer will be on stage in posing attire as well.
Brignole and Whelan: surviving, very well thank you, the rollercoaster of life.
Welcome back.
Cutler, West Coast Classic Set for June 26
We’re in the seventh inning stretch for the first NPC AmiLean West Coast Classic; yup, June 26 is right around the corner, and the entries are starting to roll in at a much faster pace. Deadline for entries is June 19, before the late fee kicks in. So, do us both a favor and get it done now!
This will be an interesting year: new national qualifier, new name (formerly Junior Cal) and new venue (El Monte High School Auditorium). But, don’t be scared off–go to the contest website (npcwestcoast.com) and all your queries will be answered. I hope.
Of course, the star attraction for the evening will be three-time Mr. Olympia Jay Cutler, who last season became the first-ever person to lose, then regain the Sandow trophy. Talked to Jay a while back, and he said he’s feeling great, and looking forward to meeting all his fans at the event. Said he’d probably be carrying about 285 pounds on his 5’9″ frame on the 26th.
Top USA contender PD Devers not only has one of the best physiques in the game, but ranks right at the top when it comes to ranking electrifying performers. You tell me if he belongs in the “elite” class after Devers displays his talents at the show. What I really can’t wait for, though, is the debut of 
Asia Monet Ray, the 4-year-old fitness phenom who says Sugar Shawn Ray is her pop. So, Shawn will be at the contest, natch–as well as many other icons of the industry.
Okay, ’nuff for now. Keep checking back for updates.
Over, under, and out.