It was unseasonably cool for July in California, yet the 3^rd annual Capital City Championships were absolutely on fire!!! Contest promoters, and WNBF Professionals; Bob Bell and Tina Smith again made the sports news when ABC affiliates visited Sacramento’s Gold's Gym for interviews and shots with local competitors. The sportscasters did an outstanding job of presenting the drug-free status of this competition, as well as fully supporting Bob and Tina’s mission to educate the public about natural bodybuilding and promoting a healthy lifestyle. Bob and Tina have continued to work diligently to get the word out West regarding the INBF and truly natural bodybuilding. Their efforts have certainly paid off with ever increasing recognition. This year’s event boasted 75 entries, and was only about 50 tickets shy of selling out the beautiful 800-seat Performing Arts Center at Sheldon High School.

     The 2000 WNBF Pro World Champion, Marlon Hospedales, amazed fans with a "cosmic" guest posing routine. With dynamic moves, and incredible muscularity, the audience was simply in awe of his thick and beautifully detailed physique. This time, Dave "Texas Shredder" Goodin took a seat at the judges table, along with CNBF President, Ted Kewin, and Californian WNBF Pros Wade Brown, Terri Reeves, and Victor Sampson. Also in attendance was the founder/president of Genetitec and WNBF Pro, Joe Klemczewski. He, along with Marlon and "Shredder" presented an informal seminar following prejudging wherein 50 or so interested participants asked training and nutrition questions of these experienced athletes.

     To the delight of educators, Bob and Tina, 3 teens took the stage to begin this year’s contest. All three of these young men had clearly been training hard, and had also done their homework in terms of presentation. With slightly more muscularity, Edgar Petrosian edged a local favorite, Brandon Maxwell. Vinnie Gesuele was also close in the race placing third. The Women’s Masters group was led by a developed, and very sharp Denise Deaton. A well-muscled Deborah Ramsey was second. Two Grandmasters (over 50) were next with Pete Bolten (trained by WNBF Pro, Don Robinson) in first place. Things really got heated up with the Men’s Masters (over 40) group. This incredible array of talent included 11 athletes, and obviously decades of hard-trained muscle. In countless comparisons, these men absolutely battled for the top five positions. The judges determined Grant Ledbetter’s thick and balanced physique was good enough as the fifth spot, and he would have placed higher with better conditioning. In fourth place, was a shredded Kris Shumway. Improving upon his posing will gain him higher placements for sure. Daniel Najera made incredible progress since last year, and was named "The 2001 Capital City Most Improved Bodybuilder". Daniel’s symmetrical and sliced musculature was outstanding, and good enough for third in this tough Master’s lineup. The battle for first was very close with an extremely striated and vascular Dave Blumgold settling for second. New to the INBF, Dave has attained very detailed muscles, and he was clearly the leanest in this class. From Los Angeles, Greg Grant has competed in several INBF contests this year. Its hard not to simply stare in amazement at this well over 200 pounds of solid muscle. Greg’s outstanding symmetry, and overall size yielded him as the best overall package in this incredibly competitive class.

     It seems that women are finally getting the message that natural bodybuilders are fit, healthy-looking, and, yes very "feminine". This year, an outstanding group of 11 such female athletes took their first shot at competitive bodybuilding. The Novice group was broken into two comparable weight classes, the lighter of which totaled seven. In third place, with good upper body development, and nice cuts was Veronica Byrom. Second place went to a well-muscled Terri Alvarez, who just needed to be tighter in her lower body, and to perfect her posing. Denise Deaton nabbed another first place award with great lines, overall hardness, and wonderful presentation. The heavyweight class were also nervous, yet clearly having the time of their lives on stage. In a battle for the title, Rebecca Ramirez’ outstanding shoulders, arms, and back were the biggest on stage, yet Seira Salemon’s overall conditioning and nice symmetry warranted first place. Against Denise Deaton for the overall, Seira was not quite as sharp, but will be competitive in an Open category next year as well.

     The Novice men were also divided into three similar weight groups. In the lightweight class, Ken Thiel who had struggled with the Master’s group, was sharp enough for third place. Michael Joiner had great symmetry, and an incredible smile in second place. Moises Torres, though lacking in color, was a unanimous choice for first with balanced and full muscles overall. The middleweight group showed lots of promise. In a battle for top honors, Eddie Marsalla had better symmetry, yet in a one-point decision, he could not overcome Kris Shumway’s shredded musculature. The heavyweight class saw two great athletes battle for first. Daniel Najera re-entered the stage, yet this time, his overall balance and sharp cuts were not quite enough for a thicker Bart Koehler. Bart went on as the clear choice for the Overall Novice award, and his appearance in the open class next year will be greatly anticipated as well.

     The Open Women’s classes were rather small, but not lacking in talent. Canada’s, Wendy Lindquist was the lightweight and overall winner with rock hard arms, great overall development, smooth posing skills, and all at only 22 years of age! The heavyweight class included newcomer, Marie President who wowed the crowd with sensational dance moves, and was named "Best Poser" along with winning this class.

     The Men’s Open classes began with a sound group of lightweights. Shawn Olivarez of Oregon, and Rick Mitchell from Nevada were tied for second, when slightly sharper posing edged Rick ahead. First place went to an unbelievably shredded Paul Daniels. At 51 years of age, and weighing only 130 pounds its difficult to explain how incredibly developed Paul’s musculature lays upon his under 5-foot stature. The middleweights were a very competitive class with the 99’ Novice Overall champ, Gerry Pruitt finishing in fourth. Last year’s Novice Overall, Matt Marbach had to settle for third due to a lack of color, and poor posing which obscured his well-defined and muscular physique. Marcus Ballinger was second with thick quads and great chest development. The overall package in this class was Michael Montgomery who had nice symmetry, and finely detailed muscles everywhere. Michael clearly got the prize for best presentation with excellent conditioning, flawless posing, and perfect color. Remember folks, when its close, these things can make or break the top spot!

     The light-heavyweights were also extremely close with 3^rd and 4^th being separated by only one point. Ryan Fickenscher was not quite as sharp, but has an incredible "v-taper", and beautiful proportions. Anthony Andrews showed good overall musculature, and was very well conditioned for third. Dave Blumgold was positively ripped in second, yet could not compete with the outlandish amount of muscle on Harold Phillips. Harold won this class last year as well, but was definitely in much better condition this time. The heavyweights saw last year’s very balanced winner, Christopher Brown also appear in much sharper condition. Christopher had to settle for second place though, as the thickly muscled Greg Grant returned from his Master’s win to take this class as well. Finally, the overall title, Excalibur sword, and well deserved pro card went to Harold Phillips. Harold has just the freaky amount of incredible muscle to fit right into the WNBF.