Bodybuilding Japan - Asia Bodybuilding

III MEF/MCBJ CPAO, Distribution Section

H&S Bn. MCB Camp S. D. Butler

Unit 35001

FPO, AP 96373-5001

International phone: 011-81-611-745-9306

International fax: 011-81-611-745-3803

E-Mail: okinawamarine.mcbb.fct@usmc.mil

Web site: http://www.okinawa.usmc.mil

CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, Japan — Forty-seven amateur and novice bodybuilders, both Okinawan and American, vied for the top spot during the 12th annual Far East Bodybuilding Competition at the Camp Foster Theater Sunday, wowing more than 700 spectators.

The sold out crowd cheered and whistled as the athletes competed in several weight classes for both men and women, and an overall champion was chosen from the top finishers of each weight class.

“The show sold out again this year as it has for the past few years,” said Michael Boughton, master of ceremonies for the event. “It is always great to have a large crowd cheering on the athletes and this year’s crowd was awesome and full of enthusiasm.”

Competitors were judged on stage presence, physique and performance to determine winners in each weight class, with the winner moving on to compete for the title of overall champion.

The women opened the show competing in lightweight, middleweight and heavyweight divisions.

Hiromi Otogawa was uncontested and took first place in the lightweight division and Charlene DeLuce ousted Emma Fromine to claim the middleweight title.

In the heavyweight division newcomer Shannon Thomas muscled out her competition to claim her first title in a body building competition. She also beat out Otogawa and DeLuce in the overall competition winning two airline tickets to Hawaii.

“I am just overwhelmed with the outcome of the competition,” Thomas said. “I came in thinking I wouldn’t even win my weight class, but the hard work really paid off and I can’t wait to go to Hawaii.”

The men’s portion of the competition had a strong turnout with the athletes competing in six weight classes: bantamweight, lightweight, light-middleweight, middleweight, light-heavyweight and heavyweight divisions.

American and Okinawan competitors split title wins as Yozaki Ryo placed first in the bantamweight division, Tomoya Nakanomari dominated his competition to take the lightweight championship and Tsuyoshi Oshiro took the light-middleweight division.

Mau Jackson finished first in the middleweight division and Kenny Walker took the light-heavyweight championship, his third first place finish in as many years.

Roosevelt Moody was named the heavyweight champion, but Nakanomari won the overall championship to end the competition. He also took home two round trip tickets to Hawaii.

CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, Japan — Charlene DeLuce. Middleweight. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Daniel R. Todd)(Released)

CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, Japan — Women’s heavyweight division and overall women’s winner Shannon Thomas competes in the 12^th Annual Far East Bodybuilding Competition at the Camp Foster Theater July 15. Forty-seven amateur bodybuilders competed in the event.. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Daniel R. Todd)(Released)

CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, Japan — Tomoya Nakanomari, the lightweight division winner, celebrates after being named the overall winner in the men’s division. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Daniel R. Todd)(Released)

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UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

Consolidated Public Affairs Office, Okinawa, Japan

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