The decade of the 1990's, saw the NPC National Bodybuilding Championships
being held in the southern or midwestern portions of the country, with the odd year out
be 1991, when it was held in the home town of the NPC - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
The contest, since 1998 now named the NPC National Bodybuilding and Fitness
Championships, ventured north to New York City for the new millennium. It was a
rousing success in promoter Steve Karel's home town, but that wasn't enough to keep it
there. He's taking the event south again for 2001 to Atlanta, Georgia, on November 16
and 17. This was the site of the successful event that saw Jason Arntz win the overall
men's bodybuilding, Brenda Raganot win the overall women's bodybuilding and Mandy
Blank win the overall women's fitness.
The same venue as before will get another chance to savor the preeminent,
amateur bodybuilding and fitness competition in the United States, Georgia World
Congress Center Ballroom. This is the NPC's crown jewel event and the final IFBB Pro
qualifier for the year.
Although some may say it sounds assumptive to call this event the premiere
amateur event in the United States, take a look at some of the IFBB pro's who've won
the overall title since the first NPC Nationals in 1982. As we at the NPC are always
quick to point out, the foremost competitor is the Mr. Olympia with the all time victories,
Lee Haney (1982). Then there's the first six time Ms. Olympia Cory Everson (1984).
Other's in this elite class include Mike Christian, Sue Myers, Bob Paris, Gary Strydom,
Shawn Ray, Kim King, Vince Taylor, Sue Price, Troy Zuccolotto, Dale Tomita, Kevin
Levrone, Michele Ralabate, Mike Francois, Nikki Fuller, Paul DeMayo, John Sherman,
Alq` Gurley, Paula Suzuki, Don Long, Susie Curry, Willie Stalling, Gayle Moher, Tom
Prince, Nicole Bass, Minna Lessig, Melanie Webb, Vilma Caez, Aaron Maddron and
2000 overall champions Heather Foster, Beth Horn and Victor Martinez.
To think that they were only the overall winners! In the NPC National
Bodybuilding Championships, each of the men's and women's class winners are
eligible to apply for IFBB pro status. Some of these class winners who've gone on to
attain star status in the IFBB include people like Lee Labrada, Chris Bongiovani, Porter
Cottrell, Laura Bass, Rich Gaspari, Denise Masino, Jay Cutler, Johnny Moya, Vickie
Gates, Kim Harris and King Kamali. As you can see, the list is impressive.
As an IFBB pro qualifier, each weight class winner of the men's and women's
bodybuilding contest earn their IFBB pro cards, while in the fitness, the top two in each
of the three height classes are awarded their IFBB pro fitness cards. For those still
unfamiliar with the three height classes, which were instituted in 1999, they are Up To
And Including 5'2"; Over 5'2" And Up To And Including 5'4-«"; Over 5'4-«". (Most
state and regional NPC Fitness contests use the traditional two height classes, being
Up To And Including 5'3" and Over 5'3".) Fitness competitors should also be aware
that they are expected to perform the six mandatory strength/flexibility movements
within their two minute fitness routine.
All competitors should make note that this will be the first NPC National
Championships to utilize the new judging system, where the top five in all the
bodybuilding classes, men and women, will be judged again during the finals. So the
contest isn't over after prejudging. For fitness, all the competitors will be judged in their
two piece swimsuits on Friday night and all competitors will get to perform their routines
during the Saturday morning prejudging. For the finals, only the top five will perform
their routines, to be judged again, and only they will be judged live in their one piece
swimsuits.
The tentative schedule of events starts Thursday night, November 15th with
contestant weigh-in's/check-in's starting at 7 p.m. The final weigh-in's/check-in's will be
on Friday, November 16th at 9:00 a.m. That same evening will be the pre-judging for
men's bodybuilding and women's fitness Two Piece Swimsuits. Saturday morning,
November 17th, starts with the Fitness Routine pre-judging, followed by the women's
bodybuilding. The finals for all three contests are that same night.
Since this is the premiere amateur bodybuilding and fitness event in America,
many major sponsors have already signed on to the event. The title sponsor is
Bodyonics Pinnacle. Other sponsors signed to date include GNC, MET-Rx, Worldwide
Sports Nutrition, ProLab, JMH, Muscle & Fitness/FLEX, NPC News and a host of others
to be announced.
The host hotel will be the Hyatt Regency Atlanta. Call the reservation number at
(404) 577-1234. Ask for the special NPC Nationals rate. This is where all the athletes
will weigh-in.
Demand for ticket's are bound to be high and are available by calling Pam Betz
at (407) 876-4467 between the hours of 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.
Competitors remember that you must have previously qualified for this event in
an NPC national qualifier. All entries must be received 21 days in advance of the event
and you must already be a registered member of the NPC for 2001. Unlike local, state
and regional NPC contests, you can not sign up for an NPC membership the weekend
of the event. To ensure that all your entry information is received, we recommend that
you send your entry forms via Certified Mail with a Return Receipt so that you have
proof that somebody signed for your package and received it. Be sure to bring that
Return Receipt with you to the athlete weigh-in's.
As a tip, don't rely on your trainer, significant other, gym owner or sponsor to
send in your application. Do it yourself. It will be one less worry you have as you
prepare for the event.
For NPC National Championships information on sponsorship, merchandising
and media, contact Steve Karel, Stonecutter Event Promotions, Inc. at (212) 289-5033
or write to 201 East 87th Street; #24R; New York, N.Y., 10128.
For exhibitor and entry form information, contact Pam Betz at (407) 876-4467,
104 11th Avenue, Windermere, Florida, 34786 or via e-mail: Pambetz@aol.com
Don't miss your opportunity to witness the crowing of some new IFBB pros and
the best amateur bodybuilders and women's fitness competitors in the entire country.
It's a bodybuilding/fitness extravaganza you don't want to miss!
To find out more about NPC bodybuilding and fitness events in your area, or to
join the NPC, contact the NPC National Office at (412) 276-5027.
