Kelowna, BC. The 2016 Kelowna Classic saw well over 200 competitors take to the stage at the Kelowna Community Theatre in front of a full house at the evening show. Ian Tomlin has promoted this show (formerly the Western Canada Tested) for the past 17 years and despite the number of competitors, his expertise showed as the show ran smoothly through pre-judging and finals. Congratulations goes to Ian, the British Columbia Amateur Body Building Association executive, the judging panel, the team of volunteers and the competitors.
Tested shows are nothing new in Canada, however, WADA compliant tested shows are and the British Columbia Body Building Association has recognized the need to offer the competitors of the province an Olympic level tested avenue where competitors can truly pursue their respective goals against like minded competition.
BCABBA Official photographer David Aboody was front and center photographing all the action for the competitors and as well Status Fitness Magazine. He shares, “From this reporter/photographer’s perspective, I can safely say that this show will continue to be a popular destination event on the BCABBA calendar. It has been a pleasure to have attended/covered it regularly since 2001”. Each of the winners looked great as did the entire group for that matter. What an amazing group of competitors! Very well done. Check out David Aboody’s photos below.
Industry expert David Ford caught up with a number of the competitors after the show and in this show review he goes into some detail about several of those that stood out to him.
I lasted attended the Kelowna show in 2007 and have to say I am very impressed with the growth of the tested shows, including this Kelowna event. Across Canada I am seeing more and more shows pop up. What I especially like about the direction the BCABBA is going, is that this truly is a tested event – 100% WADA compliant which is a game changer in the industry. I had a chance to view the top competitors in this show and approached a number of them to ask about their experience as a whole – including the show, meeting fellow competitors as well as the significance of doing a WADA compliant tested show. Check out several in the next section.
[Joanna Dziedzic – Kelowna Classic Bikini Overall Winner]
Joanna Dziedzic took the Bikini Overall and for good reason. I have been at hundreds of shows and know potential when I see it. She is definitely someone to watch! Joanna has an incredibly marketable look. In fact, I expect to see Joanna on the pages of industry magazines within the next year. A combination of beauty, great genetics teamed with hard work and heavy lifting over the years has helped her develop a physique suitable for Bikini on the next level.
I HAD A GREAT TIME BOTH BACKSTAGE AND ON STAGE WITH THE OTHER COMPETITORS, WHO ALL SHARE A ZEAL FOR FITNESS AND BODYBUILDING. I LOVED BEING SURROUNDED BY PEOPLE WITH THE SAME MINDSET…
When asked about the show Joanna shares, “The Kelowna Classic was my first bikini competition so I had no idea what to expect come show day. Looking back, I can say that the show overall was coordinated very efficiently by the BCABBA. I had a great time both backstage and on stage with the other competitors, who all share a zeal for fitness and bodybuilding. I loved being surrounded by people with the same mindset, struggle, dedication, and will-power in preparation for the show, and I definitely know now in my heart that this is my true passion.”
[Joanna Dziedzic – Back Pose – Kelowna Classic Bikini Overall Winner]
I asked Joanna about her experience with the other competitors and she elaborates, “All of the competitors I met backstage were so kind and supportive! I only heard compliments on one another’s conditioning, tan, and suits during prejudging and finals – which was the opposite of the jealous cattiness I assumed. Some girls were helping others out on their posing, while others generously shared their peanut butter to those like me who forgot! I met so many wonderful, strong women who each have a story beyond their 12-week transformation, and who motivate me even more to reach my full potential both on and off the stage.”
[Joanna Dziedzic – Kelowna Classic Bikini Overall Winner – Receiving Trophy from BCABBA President Ross Duncan]
What did it mean to Joanna to compete in a WADA compliant event, she states, “Knowing that I am competing in a doping-free sporting environment makes me feel a sense of ease due to the fact that I am on equal grounds against other competitors. I am confident in knowing that I will not be judged at a disadvantage if another athlete has taken a substance to boost her proportions or tightness. Clean bodybuilding is a core value to me because I believe in the patience, hard-work, and perseverance needed to sculpt an aesthetically-pleasing physique of which the human body is naturally capable of. I find it amazing that the BCABBA has introduced this Traditional stream of competition for those who would like to stay free of banned substances and to walk on stage as a reflection of their passion for justice, equality, and integrity to the sport.”
CLEAN BODYBUILDING IS A CORE VALUE TO ME BECAUSE I BELIEVE IN THE PATIENCE, HARD-WORK, AND PERSEVERANCE NEEDED TO SCULPT AN AESTHETICALLY-PLEASING PHYSIQUE OF WHICH THE HUMAN BODY IS NATURALLY CAPABLE OF.
Keep an eye on Joanna as she steps on stage at the BC Cup in early June. I expect we will see her qualify for the 2016 World International Events Qualifier on June 25 in Moncton, NB.
Over the past few years there has been a few Figure competitors that stand out not only because of their shape and muscularity, but also because of their stage presence and overall marketable look. In this show it was great to see Jennifer Weintz make the switch from Bikini to Figure. I have known Jennifer for a number of years and photographed her back in 2012. It is evident she has been working hard as her shape continues to improve to impressive levels.
[Jennifer Weintz – Kelowna Classic – Figure Overall Winner]
I asked Jennifer about her experience at this year’s show. She shares, “The Kelowna Classic is one of my most favourite shows to compete in. There were tons of helpful and friendly volunteers making sure our day ran smoothly. Everyone looked beautiful and has something special about them. It was interesting to hear people’s different stories and how much they’ve had to endure to get to that stage. YOU all are champions in my book.”
EVERYONE LOOKED BEAUTIFUL AND HAS SOMETHING SPECIAL ABOUT THEM. IT WAS INTERESTING TO HEAR PEOPLE’S DIFFERENT STORIES AND HOW MUCH THEY’VE HAD TO ENDURE TO GET TO THAT STAGE.
Competing under WADA compliant rules is an awesome opportunity for every drug free athlete regardless of the sport. I have known many genetically gifted competitors opt to do a legitimately tested show for multiple reasons. One to compete on the fairest levels possible and two, to simply prove they are clean athletes. I posed the question to Jennifer and she offers, “It feels good, however, I normally don’t pay too much attention or compare myself to other competitors as I believe that just robs your self of your own precious energy and power.”
What does Jennifer have planned next? She states, “I will be competing in the BC up on June 4, which is just 3 short weeks away. After that, it’s time to focus on my boyfriend who will be competing in July. Again, thank you everyone for all the love and support. It means more then you know.”
[Sasha Alaniemi – Figure D Winner]
Sasha Alaniemi is another very marketable Figure competitor to keep an eye on in the next few shows. Sasha shares, “The Kelowna Classic was my first show and I had an amazing experience. I had no idea what to expect, but I thought it ran quite smoothly and the volunteers were extremely helpful and great at organizing the athletes. I had so much fun and it was an unforgettable first competition. It was also great to be able to showcase all the hard work I had accomplished in the last 4 months on stage!” What was Sasha’s experience like around the other competitors? She says, “It was truly an honour to share the stage with so many other motivating and inspiring people who share the same passion as myself. I made friends with a lot of competitors over Instagram first, so meeting them in person was awesome! I also made friends with so many women back stage, and everyone was so supportive and positive that it made the experience much less stressful and nerve wracking.” Regarding stepping on stage in a WADA compliant show, Sasha offers, “It felt great knowing the competition I had at this show was fair, as I intend to only compete in the natural stream, I am glad that there is a whole stream dedicated to natural bodybuilding.”
IT WAS TRULY AN HONOUR TO SHARE THE STAGE WITH SO MANY OTHER MOTIVATING AND INSPIRING PEOPLE WHO SHARE THE SAME PASSION AS MYSELF.
Where can we expect to see Sasha next? “I placed first in my class and was able to qualify for provincials, so I will be at the BC Cup in New Westminster on June 4, 2016 to compete once again this season. My goal is to qualify for Nationals, and from there I want to continue to work my way up, eventually earning my Pro Card. I really fell in love with the sport of body building and becoming a figure athlete has become a passion for me now. Aside from competing, I would like to get educated to become a personal trainer/nutritionist and help others reach their health and fitness goals.” It will be great to see Sasha on stage at the BC Cup. Be sure to join us in cheering her on!
[Krysten Novak – Bikini C Winner]
Going into the Kelowna show, I knew Krysten Novak was one girl to watch in Bikini. She is great on stage and possesses a nicely toned physique with great shape. What was her experience like at this show, Krysten shares, “It was a rewarding experience. I just wanted to step on stage to get out of my comfort zone. I completely exceeded my original goal.” When asked about her plans going forward, she states, “I definitely want to do the BC Cup in June. I’m looking forward to taking a long offseason to put on size, focus on strength and coming back with a better package next year.” That is always a great strategy. Too many competitors rush shows and don’t give their bodies time to heal and grow so of course the results will continue to be similar. This off season will definitely see Krysten come back in 2017 and be a threat for an overall title.
Let’s take a look at some of the other winners from the show.
[Aidan Brow – Junior Bodybuilding]
[David Gilks – Grandmaster Bodybuilding]
[Dayna Sharkey – Master Bodybuilding]
[Dan Murray – Lightweight Bodybuilding]
[Ivan Petrov – Light Heavyweight Bodybuilding]
[Jennifer Butts – Grandmaster Women’s Physique – Best Poser]
[Susan Coderre – Women’s Physique A Class]
[Heidi Gawehns – Women’s Physique B Class]
[Claude Rey – Classic Physique A Class]
[Aaron Prevost – Classic Physique B Class]
[Darren Maywood – Classic Physique C Class]
[Denise Riley – Figure A]
[Gillian Nolan – Figure B]
[Gord Broderick – Master Men’s Physique]
[Kamalpreet Gosal – Men’s Physique A]
[Robbie Stainton – Men’s Physique B]
[Eric Yip – Men’s Physique C]
[Chris Rutherford – Men’s Physique D]
[Sumita Kolppa – Grand Master Bikini A]
[Shirley Mitrou – Grand Master Bikini B]
[Ami Mills – Master Bikini A]
[Kristy MacLeod – Master Bikini B]
[Sue Heikkila – Master Bikini C]
[Claudia Lopez – Bikini A]
[Sheri Amendt – Bikini B]
[Kezzi Loewen – Bikini D]
[Tyme Wharton – Bikini E]
Thank you once again to David Aboody for his show photo coverage. If you failed to order your stage package, be sure to connect with him through email.
Our next show coverage will be from the BCABBA BC Cup. Be sure to check back and see who was selected for our review. Our last show review covered the 2016 Leigh Brandt Muscle Classic on March 19. Check out the review by clicking the banner below.
