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Bartlett's Bodybuilding Chronicles - Archived
As these (Archived) Chronicles may reference events from the past, we cannot guarantee the current accuracy of the information (such as
website links) contained within.
January 2009
MAKING THE RIGHT CHOICE!
One of the greatest privileges of being Canadian is the freedom we enjoy! One could say we are spoiled as often these freedoms are taken for granted. We must never forget the sacrifices that have been made by many for us to enjoy a lifestyle that is the best in the world. Being Canadian means freedom of choice, in spite of the consequences that may result when the wrong road is taken!
We are now beginning a new year and as a bodybuilder, figure or fitness athlete you will be faced with many choices that will affect your future. Some in a positive way, while others not so positive! If you are someone new to our sport then you may do something as simple as cutting back on the junk food and joining a gym. If you have some training under your belt then you might be considering competing in your first contest. As for you seasoned veterans; you might make the decision to compete one last time! We are all motivated by something and have our reasons for the choices we make.
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At the 2008 CBBF Nationals Pro Cards were awarded to Mboya Edwards, Gregory Ulysse, and Ben Pakulski
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Now that brings me to the reason I am writing this article. I confess that I have been neglecting my CBBF website column in recent months and apologize to those readers who follow it. I thank you for your patience.
For Canadian athletes who are currently planning on competing this year you will be faced with making a choice as to which shows you plan to enter. Canada is a country with the most bodybuilding, figure & fitness organizations in the world. Currently there are several bodybuilding, figure & Fitness organizations all promoting shows resulting in a lot of confusion for Canadian competitors. I confess, that being in the sport for over 30 years I am even confused! I guess the question on most of your minds is, what organization or contests should I compete in? I think the answer can only satisfied by a little research and education on the various contests and organizations that promote them.
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2008 CBBF Fitness Pros Chantal Dicaire & Tamara Vahn
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Other than the Canadian Bodybuilding Federation every other organization in Canada is relatively new and were started in the province of Ontario.
I will try to give you a brief description from my point of view on these organizations so you will have a better idea as to what they are all about.
For the record I am biased towards the CBBF simply because I have supported, helped to organize and have been part of it since 1975. I firmly believe that it is the best-structured organization in Canada and has a long history. My comments on the other organizations are from chatting with athletes who have competed in them along with those who have attended their competitions. I personally have not covered any shows other than CBBF events.
CANADIAN BODYBUILDING FEDERATION
The CBBF is the oldest governing amateur bodybuilding federation in Canada and spans over 50 years. Joe and Ben Weider formed it along with the IFBB in Montreal in 1946. It has a long history of provincial and national competitions with every province in Canada having an affiliate association that feeds athletes to its three National Championships. The CBBF Canadian Nationals, NPC North American, and IFBB World Championships are the only competitions that a Canadian athlete can earn a pro card that allows them to compete in any IFFB Pro contest including the Mr. Olympia and Arnold Classic.
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Fouad Abaid won his Pro Card in 2006 and is currently Canada's top male pro
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As a structured event the CBBF Canadian Nationals are very regimented with strict competition rules that have changed very little since their inception. The shows tend to be long due to the large numbers of competitors with only the top 15 being judged in each division. Those who don’t make the top 15 are eliminated. Unfortunately, due to the many classes only the top five in each category get to pose during the evening finals. This is necessary due to the many divisions and huge number of athletes as time is limited. The CBBF has the best athletes in Canada with the caliber at a very high level and has produced many top International Pros.
As an affiliate of the IFBB the CBBF follows their rules and regulations with a team picked to represent Canada at the IFBB World Championships each year. The team is picked from a special National competition where the selected athletes are drug tested before traveling to the World Championships. The CBBF also has a strict judging policy where each judge has to be officially tested and qualified.
Most Canadian athletes that are featured in the various bodybuilding publications earned their titles competing in CBBF competitions.
FAME
The Fame organization began out of Toronto over ten years ago and is the next longest running organization after the CBBF. Fame hosts several events throughout Canada and is known for its huge number of athletes and expo. They have a very efficient and proactive advertising machine, which is responsible for their popularity. Recently, due to competition from several other organizations, Fame has lost ground and its events have gotten smaller and a shrinking of the popularity it once enjoyed several years ago. One of the downsides I have heard regarding Fame is the large number of classes, high entry fees, length of competitions, and questionable drug testing procedures.
IDFA
What started out as a small natural contest by Shawn Campbell and Wife in the province of Ontario several years ago has now expanded across Canada into a successful natural bodybuilding, figure & fitness federation. All reports indicate that the contests are well run with decent prizes for the winners. It is apparent that as a competing bodybuilder Shawn has the best interests of the athletes at heart. The IDFA is definitely against drugs and they test their athletes with a polygraph or urine analysis. (They use the CCES, but only for a limited number of tests) The caliber of athlete is still considerably below the level of the CBBF and many athletes find these competitions a good stepping-stone to larger events. The downside for Canadian athletes is that the IDFA’s major event invites athletes from the US and other countries making it an international competition. The IDFA does offer a Pro division for their elite athletes, which I think is a positive idea considering that their top winners cannot compete in any IFBB pro events.
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Athena Siginakcis won 2008 Overall CBBF Nationals and Pro card
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WBFF
If you don’t know who Paul Dillett is, then you must be new to bodybuilding as Paul is formerly one of the best IFBB Pros in the world. Retiring from competition Paul formed the WBFF in 2007, which is the newest Canadian Bodybuilding, Figure & Fitness Federation to hit the Canadian scene. Paul promoted his first contest in 2007 and has promoted a world event in downtown Toronto for the past two years. All reports are positive with his shows having the reputation of being very theatrical and entertaining. They are less structured than CBBF shows with plenty of lights, special acts and fancy stage settings. The contest is international with athletes from several other countries competing. There are also a great number of divisions and Paul’s promotional expertise has cut into the strong base that Fame once controlled. In 2009 the WBFF plans on expanding to other provinces in Canada. Paul’s idea was to compete with the IFBB with his own version of a World Federation and pro division.
There are a couple of smaller organizations, but in my opinion, the ones I have mentioned are the most viable.
So with that being said, you are now faced with the decision to pick one to compete in.
I am aware that competing in a competition not only drains you physically and emotionally but also financially. With these difficult economic times I doubt if you can afford to compete in more than one or two shows a year. So which one do you get the best bang for your buck? Before answering this question, you must ask yourself what do you want to get out of competing? If your ultimate goal is to become an IFBB Pro someday with the dream of competing at the Olympia, then you have to begin in your province. Only the CBBF have officially recognized provincial competitions that ultimately can take you on the road to becoming a recognized pro or top amateur athlete. All the others have their own version of pro divisions but are limited in their appeal and scope.
If you are an athlete who just wants to compete nationally without any restrictions, then you can simply skip your provincial event and go directly to any of the other organizations. However, I think you will be sadly disappointed jumping directly into a national event without any previous experience. In spite of the huge costs to compete, it is also very humbling and frustrating to step on stage against superior athletes. You will soon realize you are in the wrong place. If your goal is to compete, have fun, and experience the excitement of competition then I recommend competing in your province where you will be matched against your peers. Keep in mind that all the other organizations with the exception of the CBBF are all international and invite other countries to compete in their Canadian events.
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Mindi O'Brien earned her Pro Card competing in the CBBF and is one of Canada's most successful fitness pros
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One of the best suggestions I can make is to speak to athletes who have competed in different contests and ask them about their experience. Don’t be misled by all the hype and fancy advertising promising fame and fortune. Often the promises never materialize and the athlete is left angry and disillusioned.
But when it is all said and done the final choice is yours! Think hard and above all it is all about having fun, traveling, and making new friends!
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I would appreciate hearing from you!
grbartlett@yahoo.com
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Garry Bartlett is a leading authority on Canadian bodybuilding, figure and fitness.
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