Alongside the Pro show were the traditional Southern States Bodybuilding Championships. This amateur show is a fine way to start out on your career in bodybuilding and many choose to use it to test the waters and to grab a sneak look at the pros backstage too. Others are working their way up to the State and National titles later in the year.  Two guys turned up for the juniors (who have to be under 21 on the day of the show): Angus Cooper and Sean Rankine. The junior competitors always put together great routines which unfortunately seem to disappear when they reach the open weight classes. Both Sean and Angus had good condition but it was Sean's beautiful proportions that won the day. His is a very pleasing physique with lots of muscle in all the right places. Angus has the disadvantage of being long-limbed and it will take him some time to fill out his large frame. Watch out when he does! However, the honour this time went to Sean. At the opposite end of the scale, the masters is for men who are over 35 on the day of the show. Two combatants lined up for this class. Joe Grimoli has competed many times in the past year and the experience shows. Joe displayed a power-packed chunky physique, while his rival onstage, John Dessent, who came all the way from Sydney to compete, presented the opposite, a taller rangier body with nice lines and some classic posing. In previous outings, John always seemed to lack condition. This time, however, he was tighter and more streamlined. It was a classic 'oranges and apples' battle. In the end, Joe won out with an exiting routine that got the audience clapping along. I'm sure we will see both men again later in the year in their respective State contests, with maybe another showdown at the IFBB nationals in October. Following the masters was the novice class. This is for anyone who has not won a show at this (Southern States) level before. The line-up comprised Sean Rankine, fresh from his junior victory, Brad Fenby, Martin Sifredi and Abdul Rahman Al-Asmari. Brad sure knows how to diet and was exceptionally lean. All he needs to do now is add some more mass to his frame and he will move up the rankings. Martin, on the other hand, needs to start his diet sooner, but he displayed a great set of arms and was in pretty good shape. Unfortunately, they were up against Abdul Al-Asmari who would turn out to be the star of the night. There was no stopping this young man from legend Sammy Ionnides' Better Bodies Gym. He moved like a professional, confident and calm with excellent presentation. He had near perfect upper body proportions and a pretty damn good set of legs with the full muscle bellies set off by deep separations. Abdul was really eye-catching and won the class easily. To be fair to Brad and Martin, I had them equal second. Following on from his novice win, Abdul came straight out for the under-70 kg class with Craig O'Toole and Jim Vouzas. Craig had been threatening to compete for about three years and had finally got it together and made it onstage. The fact that he was covered in tattoos didn't hide his hard work. With a tight midsection, good back, thick chest and nice calves, all Craig needs is more size and to improve on his posing. I truly hope he continues to compete, as his passion is a much needed element in this sport. Jim was a real surprise. He had the sort of physique that in the gym is easily overlooked, but onstage really shines. He matched just about everyone with his upper body shape and condition. I know he will be back and if he can bring up his legs to match his torso, then he will be a threat to be reckoned with. Often when competitors come out twice in a night, the crowd gets bored with them. Not so with Abdul Rahman Al-Asmari. The audience just lapped him up and he gave them a great show in return. He was pushed a little harder, but held the others at bay and was deservedly rewarded with first place. Second went to Jim and third to Craig. The under-80 kg, or middleweight class saw John Dessent and Joe Grimoli joined by Daniel Fel. This three-way tussle started to look interesting when Joe ditched his dance routine. This time he posed with the grace and style reminiscent of Ed Corney. (If you don't know who Ed is, go look in some back issues of FLEX). The winner this time was Daniel Fel, whose rounded delts, full chest and tight midsection, along with what were arguably the best legs on the day, clinched it for him. He looked every inch the winner and it would have been interesting to see Daniel and Abdul on stage together. Finally the heavyweights thundered onstage. This weight class is for men weighing over 90 kg and over 90 kg they both were. Steve Ellis looked like a traditional heavyweight, big guns and a huge back, in fact pretty darn big everything! I think more time is what Steve needs, to improve on his chest and to add some detail. I can't imagine Steve ever being lighter than 90 kilos, but God help us if he decides to really pull out all the stops and drop to the light heavies. Adam Powell had a lot of experience on his side and in the past has looked good but lacked condition. This time, however, he nailed it, displaying an impressively striated chest and well developed traps, all balanced by well defined legs. It was a simple task for the judges to award Adam first place. When all is said and done, it was a slick, well run show with some stand out physiques. Well done to all who competed as just getting your arse up onstage is one of the hardest things in this sport. Congratulations to the winners; Adam Powell, Daniel Fel, Abdul Rahman Al-Asmari, Joe Grimoli and Sean Rankine. A special mention goes to Abdul, a star in the making and the name on everyone's lips after the amateur show was over. MEN'S Junior 1. Sean Rankine 2. Angus Cooper   Master's 1. Joe Grimoli 2. John Dessent   Novice 1. Abdul Rahman Al-Asmari 1 2. Daniel Fel 3. Martin Sifredi   Under 70kg 1. Abdul Rahman Al-Asmari 2. Jim Vouzas 3. Craig O'Toole   Under 80kg 1. Daniel Fel 2. Joe Grimoli 3. John Dessent   Over 90kg 1. Adam Powell

Adam Powell Daniel Fel Joe Grimoli Sean Rankine Abdul Rahman Al-Asmari