London Bodybuilding Championships coming to Centennial Hall
Many athletes choose to participate
in sports team or intramurals
at post-secondary schools to further
their skills and enjoyment.
Some continue with volleyball,
basketball or hockey teams. Others
learn how to golf, ski or snowboard.
Some join gymnastics clubs
in the city to keep up with their
tumbling and floor routines. And
some choose the sport of weight
training and bodybuilding: two
sports that challenge you when you
are hungry, sore, craving a pizza or
a Big Mac and your eyes are
focused on a class win and chance
to be an International Federation of
BodyBuilders pro.
On November 26, feel the spirit of competition at Centennial Hall. It's too late to compete (most athletes need between 10 and 20 weeks to prepare), but there is a great chance you will enjoy what you see and maybe pursue a sport that is becoming more popular in Canada.
A while back, OPA figure athlete Emily Zelinka was featured in the Interrobang as one to watch as she set her sights on a National win, meaning that if she placed first, she would be honoured with a placement with the best physiques in the country and an IFBB pro status. There have been other athletes with London connections who have competed in the Ontario Physique Association to win gold at Nationals and are bound towards IFBB pro status in fitness: Stephanie Worsfold, a Fanshawe graduate, and Allison Ethier, a former UWO graduate. Scott Milne and Ben Pulkulski have also competed in bodybuilding competitions.
The competition is being organized by Jamor Enterprises, made up of Jim Morris and Norm Jacobs. They have been running bodybuilding events for about 24 years and will also promote the next show in April, 2012 in Stratford, The 24th Annual Festival City Championships. Jacobs and Morris have been partners for the entire time and the name Jamor is derived from both their names.
"The OPA is the only sanctioning body in Ontario offering the tiers system that leads to IFBB Pro status—Mr. Olympia, Arnold Classic," stated Morris.
"The starting level is a regional show, like the one on November 26, and it is open to all amateur athletes residing in Ontario. By placing in the top five in your class, you get to compete at the Ontario Championships June 1, 2012 held in conjunction with the Toronto Pro Supershow. By placing in the top five at the Ontario Championships, you get to go to the Canadian Bodybuilding Championships. (Furthermore), if you win overall or second to overall, you get your IFBB Pro Card."
Morris himself competed for about nine years, beginning when he was 31 years old. There are videos of him on YouTube dating as far as 1984 doing his posing routine. To this day, he still has a passion for the sport. He still works out a couple times a week and at 64, he has just deadlifted 405 pounds.
Morris cited the benefits of competing: "It motivates you to attain a condition you would not otherwise attain without the stimulus of competing. If you compete solely for the purpose of winning, you will just be let down after the show. You should compete to win, absolutely, but mostly to be in your personal best shape ever. If you compete just to win a show, then it is over."
"You have to love the journey as well," he continued. "You have to love every day in the gym and have that passion to work on your masterpiece. You are happy with your progress, but you are never finished with your masterpiece!"
For more information, visit jamor.ca, cbbf.ca or The Toronto Supershow at torontoprosupershow.com. The cost is $80 for a VIP all day pass, $25 for pre-judging at 11 a.m. and $45 for finals at 6:30 p.m.
On November 26, feel the spirit of competition at Centennial Hall. It's too late to compete (most athletes need between 10 and 20 weeks to prepare), but there is a great chance you will enjoy what you see and maybe pursue a sport that is becoming more popular in Canada.
A while back, OPA figure athlete Emily Zelinka was featured in the Interrobang as one to watch as she set her sights on a National win, meaning that if she placed first, she would be honoured with a placement with the best physiques in the country and an IFBB pro status. There have been other athletes with London connections who have competed in the Ontario Physique Association to win gold at Nationals and are bound towards IFBB pro status in fitness: Stephanie Worsfold, a Fanshawe graduate, and Allison Ethier, a former UWO graduate. Scott Milne and Ben Pulkulski have also competed in bodybuilding competitions.
The competition is being organized by Jamor Enterprises, made up of Jim Morris and Norm Jacobs. They have been running bodybuilding events for about 24 years and will also promote the next show in April, 2012 in Stratford, The 24th Annual Festival City Championships. Jacobs and Morris have been partners for the entire time and the name Jamor is derived from both their names.
"The OPA is the only sanctioning body in Ontario offering the tiers system that leads to IFBB Pro status—Mr. Olympia, Arnold Classic," stated Morris.
"The starting level is a regional show, like the one on November 26, and it is open to all amateur athletes residing in Ontario. By placing in the top five in your class, you get to compete at the Ontario Championships June 1, 2012 held in conjunction with the Toronto Pro Supershow. By placing in the top five at the Ontario Championships, you get to go to the Canadian Bodybuilding Championships. (Furthermore), if you win overall or second to overall, you get your IFBB Pro Card."
Morris himself competed for about nine years, beginning when he was 31 years old. There are videos of him on YouTube dating as far as 1984 doing his posing routine. To this day, he still has a passion for the sport. He still works out a couple times a week and at 64, he has just deadlifted 405 pounds.
Morris cited the benefits of competing: "It motivates you to attain a condition you would not otherwise attain without the stimulus of competing. If you compete solely for the purpose of winning, you will just be let down after the show. You should compete to win, absolutely, but mostly to be in your personal best shape ever. If you compete just to win a show, then it is over."
"You have to love the journey as well," he continued. "You have to love every day in the gym and have that passion to work on your masterpiece. You are happy with your progress, but you are never finished with your masterpiece!"
For more information, visit jamor.ca, cbbf.ca or The Toronto Supershow at torontoprosupershow.com. The cost is $80 for a VIP all day pass, $25 for pre-judging at 11 a.m. and $45 for finals at 6:30 p.m.
