Most people are familiar with the discipline a sport like boxing demands from athletes who want to succeed in the ring at the amateur and professional levels. Proper diet and training can make a huge difference in later rounds when each fighter must dig deep looking for something extra to carry him (or her) across the finish line.
This Saturday night, athletes of a different kind will take center stage inside the Roberts Orpheum Theater at the St. Louis Natural Bodybuilding and Figure Classic, in a sport which requires similar attention and dedication to nutrition and gym time.
Last week I met with the promoters of the event at the office of professional ring announcer Peter Vaccaro, the man who will be presiding as Master of Ceremonies as 63 bodybuilders from six different states battle at the USA Pro Qualifier.
Those placing in the top five in each height class will qualify to move on to the USA Championships in Chicago this October.
Promoter, personal fitness trainer and entrepreneur Keith Hunter has over 20 years of experience in bodybuilding. The Soldan graduate went on to earn a degree in Exercise Science from McPherson College in Kansas. He and co-promoter Troy Cooper, a U. City High School graduate and personal trainer, also own ZenergyPro, a company specializing in multi-vitamins and advanced supplements.
They told me how encouraged they are that this year’s field of 63 is up from last years’ total of 39 and includes ages ranging from 17 to 57.
Although he won’t be competing in Saturday’s event, Hunter was a finalist at the nationals last year, and he told me how important a drug and steroid-free show is – not just for the sport, but for youngsters who are inspired to take better care of themselves through diet and exercise.
He said, “We use the same labs for testing as the International Olympic Committee, and polygraphs are administered by retired FBI agents.”
He added, “A private donor buys tickets and distributes them to underprivileged kids, so they can see athletes who are drug-free. It gets teens involved with training and that boosts their self-esteem.”
Troy Cooper expressed the importance of educating people about getting healthy. Citing an example, a female client of Hunter’s has lost 50 pounds and nine dress sizes since January.
Cooper said, “We’ll have competitors who are everyday people- housewives, mailmen and construction workers.”
Both Hunter and Cooper were inspired in high school by Ron Villars, a football coach and athletic trainer who will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award at the event.
They are also pleased about “bringing a show to an urban area in a historic theater.”
For those who follow the sport, as well as those who are curious to witness a unique downtown event first-hand, I was assured by the pair that it will be something that the crowd won’t soon forget.
The St. Louis Natural Bodybuilding & Figure Classic begins with pre-judging at 10 a.m. this Saturday, with the finals kicking off at 6 p.m. Tickets for the morning session are $10 and pricing for the evening are $20 (general admission), $30 (VIP) and $25 (GA for both sessions). Contact Ticketmaster (314) 421-4400, Keith Hunter (314) 567-6372 or Troy Cooper (314) 489-0689 for more details.
