Airmen flex at bodybuilding competition

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Peter Thompson
  • 7 BW/ PA
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas - --  Six Airmen from Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, participated in the first Dyess Muscle Classic held at the base theater Nov. 17, 2012.

The National Physique Committee, the largest amateur bodybuilding organization in the United States, sanctioned the competition and judged 31 participants in body building, physique, figure and bikini divisions.

After months of perfecting their bodies and routines, the competitors arrived the morning of the show for the initial judging. With spray tans applied and weights lifted, the competitors made their way across the stage to flex and pose at the evaluators direction.

When they returned in the evening for the final event, they put it all on the line to impress the crowd. Five of the six Dyess members were awarded trophies.

"It was a great experience," said Senior Airman Michael Hernandez, 7th Force Support Squadron. "I have never been in a competition before, but it's something I've always been interested in. I feel like this was a great way to start off, so I definitely plan on continuing to compete in the future."

Hernandez participated in the open middleweight body building division and the novice light weight body building division placing 1st and 2nd respectively.

Staff Sgt. Tyler Richardson, 7th Maintenance Operations Squadron and Staff Sgt. Angela Richardson, 7th Bomb Wing, coordinated the event with the 7th Force Support Squadron and the NPC to ensure the event ran smoothly.

"We set it up to showcase fitness achievement," Richardson said. "We wanted to let people show how much time and dedication they put towards their bodies."

"It went really well for its first time and we had a great turn out," Richardson said. "Next year will be bigger and better. Now that we are on the map, people will know and they will come. Since we are now the only location in West Texas, next year will be even more of a success."