Florida is host to a magnitude of competitions every year. I counted 15 NPC events alone still on the calendar for 2007! Frank Dalto, who is a pioneer in the promotion of fitness events, promotes 3 NPC-sanctioned shows every year.

I attended one of Frank’s shows last weekend, the 30th Annual NPC West Palm Beach Bodybuilding Championships, one of the oldest NPC-sanctioned events, along with The 4th Annual NPC Anna Level Figure and Fitness Championships held at The William T. Dwyer High School Auditorium in Palm Beach Gardens.

The show always showcases top athletes. Many competitors starting here have went on to become IFBB pros over the years. Anna Level herself is no stranger to this stage! It was a sold out show, with standing room only. But this is usually the scene at all of Frank’s shows. The energy was high and the show spectacular.

Rich Gomes, husband of IFBB Figure Pro Kristin Gomes
competing for the first time!

This year, IFBB Pro Toney Freeman appeared in top form for the evening show. Dave Marinelli, a long time competitor to this area, was cheered on by the crowd during his guest performance. Dave earned his IFBB Pro card in 2004 at the Masters National Bodybuilding Championships in PA.  Jennifer Bishop, a 2-time Florida Fitness Champion performed her Rock-N-Roll fitness routine and ROCKED the stage! Look for Jennifer at Team Universe next month in NY!

Figure Class A Winners

The figure division had the most competitors, with the Masters over 40 being the largest! That’s INSPIRATION! I have noticed the growing Masters divisions in past years at local level shows. These classes not only have grown in numbers but in level of competitor. These 30, 40, 50 and 60-year-olds are not what our mothers were!

Kristin Bell, Figure B Class Winner (4th)
and one of my girls!

The Fitness division numbers were also up. I think over the next few years we are going to see fitness make a strong comeback!

I was not able to talk to a lot of competitors at this show, unfortunately. I had two girls competing for the first time and was backstage coaching and helping them most of the show. I did get to speak to the open figure A class winner, Andi Grasso of Coral Springs, FL after the show, however. She was last year’s runner-up at the NPC Zena Collins and 1st at the NPC Sunshine Classic in March in her division.

Debbie Kruck & Gina Ostarly!

Andi will go on to compete at the NPC USA’s in Vegas next month. She genetically has the perfect frame, broad back and shoulders, tiny waist and great legs. With a little more leanness, I think she will place high at next month’s national show!

It appeared that top 5 placings in all figure and fitness classes went to well conditioned girls without too much muscle. Nice to see that more of a “TOTAL PACKAGE” is what caught the judges’ eyes.

Debbie Kruck, a long time friend of Frank Dalto, usually makes her way from Daytona to show her support. Debbie hosted the Debbie Kruck Classic along with Frank before she moved her show to Daytona. Debbie has always been an inspiration to me and become a very good friend over the years.

It was nice to see Anna. She did a wonderful of with the fitness and figure girls and kept things running smoothly on and off stage. I don’t get to see Anna often, and apparently have been out of touch too long! Anna is the proud mother of a beautiful 4-month-old baby boy!