2009 Paradise Cup Bodybuilding & Figure Championships
November 14th, 2009 by Lori Okami
Do they come any bigger? Probably not. Guest posers, Phil Health and Tricky Jackson, blew away the crowd with their massive muscles -- even running through the audience and posing on chairs. Needless to say, everyone went wild!
Another impressive guest poser was Hawaii's own Shavis Higa. We were left speechless. See for yourself!
Now for the competition...
There were two divisions for Women: Masters and Open Figure. The short class had an outstanding group of women with several women looking muscular enough for Bodybuilding competition instead of Figure. While contestant Susan Alejado may not have placed, at 52 years old, she was probably the most muscular and well-defined. Props to her. The winner of the short class, Alicia Meza (an exercise physiologist) also took the overall title. She was in beautiful shape with nice muscle tone and condition, great stage presence and delivered a balanced, feminine athletic package. This was a tough class and all the women deserve much credit!
The beautiful Pebblz Ronquilio (top photo) took the medium class and former Paradise Cup champion bodybuilder, Robin Connell, returned to take the Figure tall class (bottom photo). Great job ladies!
The Women's Open Figure short class was not only the most competitive class but it was probably one of the best local Figure line-ups I've seen. There were 12 contestants and nearly all came in looking ready to battle. Hats off to all in this group because the competition was stiff! Again, the short class winner dominated, taking her class and the overall title. Congratulations! Veteran Sarah Shea took the medium height class hands down and chiropractor, Tanya Castro, edged out Jessica Robins for the tall class title.
The Men's competition offered Novice, Masters and Open contestants a chance to take home the title and a beautiful Paradise Cup gold pendant.
The bantam weight division was easily won by newcomer Greg Yoshida, who posed like Alan Ichinose and ended up taking the Novice division Best Poser award too. The lightweight division winner was Derwin Palacpac. Reggie Javier took the middleweight class and Marine Chris Ashley took the lightheavy and overall titles. The lower photo below shows the heavyweight winner, Wil Ortiz, graciously congratulating Chris Ashley who look the Novice overall title. All winners were well deserving and came in great shape. I've judged Chris before and he definitely came to win this time.
The Masters Men's division lightweight and overall title was taken by the seasoned Eddie Damaso. He has already placed in the top three at the USA and is off to another national competition shortly. Paul Perri took the middleweight class and Al Mahuka took the heavyweight division in his typically graceful fashion. The Best Poser trophy was awarded to the creative Eassie Soares-Haae who was a joy to watch.
The Men's Open division hosted several outstanding men who could probably sweep the top placings in any Masters contest, bringing quality, mature muscle. The bantamweight division (top photo) was close with Bobby Godinez, Jr. taking the title. Deron Agaran took the lightweight division (2nd photo) and Ramel Valbuena edged out the impressive 53-year old, Hannu Selin (yes, husband of the beautiful Marjo Selin), to take the middleweight division (3rd photo below). Returning Tome Liu stepped up to take not only the lightheavy division but Best Poser and the Men's Open overall title as well (4th picture below). The big boys in the heavyweight division made it tough, but Ryan Paul Williams edged them out to take the class (bottom).
Here are each of the overall division winners.
As usual, it was a great event held at the Sheraton Waikiki ballrooms. MCs, Angel Teves Aiwohi and Champ, entertained the crowd and a big "Thank you" to the promoters Guy Leong and Greg Lefcourt, as well as fellow judges: Cindy Lee (Chairwoman), Mark Valencia, Steve Preza, Lee-Ann Kapiioho Sagum, Sarah Nakajima, Masayo Copeland and Adam Kuwasaki.
Aloha.
Tags: 2009, bodybuilding, figure, fitness, health, Paradise Cup
November 15th, 2009 at 11:57 am
Hi Lori
Wea your pic
November 16th, 2009 at 8:49 pm
Hi Lori,
Nice write up on the Cup. Come by a visit me sometime at the Honolulu Club. I would love to see you do a come back soon...
November 18th, 2009 at 3:03 pm
Hey NKHEA!
Das me on the bottom with Champ--I'm the one on the left (ha, ha, ha).
Hey Stingrey!
Life's getting back to normal--except that we just got a puppy. I'll be by to see you soon--after Thanksgiving and a trip though. Hmmmm. Not so sure about the come back idea. I think I left at the top of my game. Don't know if I should risk being less (in a competition). Might consider getting in shape just to demo--I like to have goals and play with the training and diet. Thanks!
Aloha,
Lori
November 25th, 2009 at 7:10 am
Hi Lori,
Thank you for running a blog on the show. Wondering why the Paradise does not get newspaper coverage or local news exposure??
I'm looking forward to more consistency in the judging of figure in Hawaii.
Last year, muscles won the show. This year, a feminine, athletic package wins.
I hope this will set the tone for years to come because I do think the lean, tone, athletic package reflects the mainland standard.
I learned a lot this year as this was the first show that I started 3.5 months out to diet and train. Normally I only start 8 weeks out because I train all year long with my business. (Buff Mama Inc.)
This coming year, I will not be working legs but just running!
And no more Atkins style dieting!!
Balanced diet, running, yoga, shoulders, abs!!
This is the joy of this sport to me, keeping my edge, fine tuning and learning what to let go of!!
Many thanks for what you do!
Best of health,
Dawn
http://www.buffmama.org
November 26th, 2009 at 4:51 pm
I was honored to be part of the 2009 Paradise Cup. I hope to come back another year and be part this incredable show. I was so excited to meet the other competors. I came out of this with a new respect for the sport of bodybuilding and some great friendships.
Mahalo
Ryan Williams
Maui
November 26th, 2009 at 5:56 pm
Hello Dawn,
Yes, I'm surprised that I didn't see any coverage as well. I only wish I took more and better pictures--hard to judge and take pictures! Regarding the judging...actually, the Figure contestants on a national level are very muscular (considering they aren't even posing). Much depends on the line-up--don't forget that it is comparison type judging. The judges are not holding contestants to a fixed standard. They are ranking contestants as they appear against the others on stage. So, as contestants vary, judging will follow. The winners were fairly muscular and in all honesty would need to be more muscular if they are to ever compete on a national level. I noticed that in the open short class the women actually lost muscle-tone from last year which to me was a step backward. Alicia Meza was probably the best example of someone with the potential to go national. If you are the Dawn I'm thinking of, the first time I saw you I was blown away. You had a very impressive physique and would probably have won this contest if you came in the same shape as that time. The winners were reasonably muscular but not at the expense of losing the femininity. I think you've got tremendous potential and look forward to seeing even more of you in the future. (The above is just my personal opinion and I cannot speak for the other judges.) Thanks for blogging. Be well, Lori.
Hello Ryan!
Congratulations! Yes, I think bodybuilding is one of the most difficult sports because you've got to train really hard, while dieting and be able to present yourself well. I look forward to seeing improvement from you in future shows. Train hard.
Aloha,
Lori