MostMuscle.com- 2003 NPC Southern States Bodybuilding Championships

The 2003 NPC Southern States Bodybuilding Championships by Mark-Anthony Bailey

The Southern States has always been a huge amateur show. Many athletes use it as a stepping tone to bigger stages such as the National or the USA. But this years Southern States was big; bigger and longing than ever. With over 200 competitors and so many classes and divisions I lost track, this show ran from 6PM to well into the next morning. I personally stayed until around midnight and at that point they were just in the middle of the Women’s open division: lightweight, middleweight and heavy. The men’s open was still yet to be touched with all of their own divisions (bantam, light, middle, light-heavy, heavy and super-heavy). I love bodybuilding, but show can get outright boring after a few hours. I had to leave “early”, but while I was there this is what I saw.

First off, let me say that bodybuilders are weird group of people. It seemed that every freak in the South Florida area gravitated to this show (what does that make me?). The quality of the competitors was quite good, but at times it seemed the real show was in the audience. It seemed that 20 inch arms were a prerequisite to even walk into the auditorium. I must have count at least 25-30 guys who boldly brandished this guns. The average weight of the audience must have been 250lbs. The females were also out in full force showing all the muscle and skin they could legally get away with. Not a bad scene to be right smack in the middle of especially since almost every girl there had an expensive pair of implants and 10-15% bodyfat. From the fitness babes to the ultra-muscular, steroid induced female bodybuilder they were there and wanted to be seen.

That brings me to my next topic. Bodybuilding has always been about the visual. Your appearance on stage is what you are judged by and the athlete with the best appearance usually takes home the biggest trophy.

But….

Unlike any other ‘sport’, bodybuilding is a 24/7 activity. You literally wear your sport on your sleeve. Everyone likes to get noticed and admired for whatever reason, but bodybuilders in general live for that moment. This may or may not be a bad thing, but I could not help but feel sorry for Tommi Thorvildsen (Mr. Norway/IFBB Pro & 1 of the 6 guest posers for the show) when I saw him at his booth during the intermission standing alone attempting to peddle his photos for $10 each. Most people walked right past him to the other booths trying to grab some free supplements. Passed over for a free packet of protein powder! When making a living depends on whether or not people want to see you; that has got to hurt. But enough of the sad stories…..moving on.

Mr. Norway Tommi Thorvildsen

As I stated before, there were a crazy amount of divisions and classes. Each age division had 2 or 3 weight classes; excellent opportunity for the athlete, much too long for the audience. The men over 50 and the men over 35 divisions were particular high quality. In fact some of the over 50 men would have beat their younger counterparts. The women were amazing too. In the over 50 divisions there were only two athletes but one of them was 77 year old! She looked excellent for her age and was a true inspiration for everyone in attendance. She received one of the loud ovations from the crowd. The posing in general was entertaining and the South Florida spice was shining through in many of the performances. Although the NPC does not really out the posing routine in the score sheets like the MuscleMania does, it is always nice to see athletes spend some serious time creating and practicing innovative and entertaining routines. Even if you have the best body on stage, the crowd can quickly lose interest if you do not entertain.

The South States is an NPC sanctioned show, meaning pretty much anything goes as far as drug testing goes. This was quite apparent in quite a few athletes. Men showed up with obvious cases of gynecomastia (development of breast tissue in males due to steroid use) and the overall over 30 female winner was down right scary. She looked great from a bodybuilding standpoint but the drug use as too obvious. She wore a hair weave and had the breast implants in order to portray some semblance of femininity but there was not much left. I am sure she looks better off cycle and off season. Don’t get me wrong I love females with well development physiques and I can certainly appreciate the dedication it takes for someone (especially a woman) to take her body to that level, but it just cannot be good for her. I sat in front alongside the competitors (Press Pass) and really had a chance to see and talk to these athletes up close and personal. They were all confident individuals seeking recognition for all every different reasons. What I found interesting was that many were from the same gyms and even entered in the ‘team’ division (I left before that). Dehydrated and mentally and physically fatigue, most had a great upbeat attitude and were more than willing to talk about training, diet etc.

Men Over 35 Division

A number of professionals were there including King Kamali, Quincy Taylor and Bob Cicherillo. It was a strange moment when at intermission while I was trying to grab as many free supplements I could from the various booths, I accidentally walked into Kevin Lervone. He actually apologized to me. A class act indeed as big guys tend to bulldoze through a crowd but Kevin was cool. I never realized that I am taller than him at 6’0.

Men Over 60

IFBB Pro Quincy Taylor

My cousin and myself enjoying the show.

Anyways, enough ranting. If you want to see a quality show and you are in the south Florida area, go to the Southern States. Each year its bigger and better. See you at the Nationals in Miami!

‘Nuff said.

Mark-Anthony Bailey is the Editor-in-Chief of MostMuscle.com. As an Exercise Physiologist and competitive natural bodybuilder, his goals have been to ensure that his clients get the latest information on training techniques, nutritional guidelines and lifestyle modifications needed to obtain optimal health. He can be contacted at: markanthony@mostmuscle.com