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2007 Canadian Bodybuilding Championships
2007 Canadian Bodybuilding Championiships - contest photos and coverage - genex magazine - Cindy Phillips, Lyris Capelle flexing

August 18, 2007 - by Steve Wennerstrom, IFBB Women’s Historian

Canadian Nationals Produce Coast-to-Coast Pro Cards

Nadia Nardi and Cindy Phillips Are Canada’s Latest to Turn Pro

IFBB Pro Nadia NardiEdmonton, AB, Canada -  Promoter John Dirks worked his magic once again putting on a sterling Canadian Championships event at the Windspear Centre, in Edmonton, Alberta, on August 18th. 

Working with a field that totaled just over 200 contestants in both men’s and women’s divisions, the large Edmonton audience was treated to the biggest ever Canadian Championships – and a women’s event that showed excellent quality among the top finishers in each class.  It was Dirks who also staged an outstanding Canadian National contest at this same venue in 2004, so he has perfected his promoting craft.

With the women contestants faced with the prospect of entering this year’s Nationals in just two weight classes, a last minute reprieve by Canadian administrative officials made the move back to three weight classes. In effect, the move made the contest much more competitive in adding an additional winner for the final posedown and making for a fairer playing field with contestants of similar heights and weights competing together.

“It could have easily been a very unfortunate experience for many competitors,” said one Canadian official. “We realized too many women may have been competing in a heavyweight class against opponents who were outweighed by 30 to 40 pounds.  And the lightweight class was just too big, considering what would have been a large elimination round to cut the field to 15.  It was discussed at length and we voted to return to the three weight classes.”  As the contest and its eventual results turned out, it was the best move imaginable – and the Canadian Federation showed they were on the ball in looking out for their athlete’s best interests.

A field of nearly 50 contestants in five divisions made this event one in which the judges were faced with a widely varying groups of very competitive physiques.

The Lightweights –
The lightweight division provided judges with the first headache of the evening when they faced the prospect of separating three strong finishers – two of which were former Canadian lightweight champions. With the final tallies in, Carmen Tocheniuk (the 2005 Canadian champion), and Heather King (the 2006 lightweight winner) both found themselves taking a back seat to pint-sized Cheryl McCarthy.  At just 5-0, 110 pounds, McCarthy convinced judges she carried the most muscle in the class showing good thickness in her upper body while displaying no obvious weaknesses.   From Spruce Grove, Alberta, McCarthy was the 2006 Alberta Provincial LW champion, as well as the Masters overall winner, and also added a runner-up finish in the Canadian Masters division here.
Fellow Albertan and crowd favorite Carmen Tocheniuk settled for the runner-up spot, and at 5-3, 117 pounds she was at the top end of the lightweight class - just making the weight break.  Doing her best imitation as last year’s overall winner, Nicole Ball, Tocheniuk was perfect in her overall contest readiness and stage presence.  She simply lacked the muscular levels of McCarthy – and that element alone was what this judging panel held in highest importance. Tocheniuk has the look of a future pro, should she continue to enter the Canadian Nationals with an ongoing improvement in her muscular cultivation and the same level of physical conditioning.  She was impeccably well-prepared and her overall look could be best described as ‘Beautybuilding’.

carmen tocheniukOntario’s Heather King was slightly off the muscular detail and contest condition that brought her the Canadian lightweight crown last year.  That said, she still made herself competitive with a striking stage presence.  Competing since 2002, the 5-2, 117-pound King displayed her patented v-shaped torso and a creative posing routine - two elements that forced judges to keep one eye on her as a top placer.  King also added a fifth-place finish in the Masters category competition.

Fourth went to tiny Amelie Bourget of Shannon, Quebec.  The 5-0, 110-pound personal trainer qualified with an overall win at the 2007 Quebec Provincial Championships, and showed nice overall balance and what could best be defined as a ‘miniature elegance’.

Rounding out the top five lightweights was Ontario’s Michelle Richards.  A former track & field sprinter, the 5-3, 117-pound Richards was the lightweight and overall winner at the 2005 Ontario Provincial Championships and works as a counselor for women in conflict with the law……a challenging profession if there ever was one.

Seventeen contestants competed in the largest-ever Canadian lightweight class.

The Middleweights
This was the weight class that not only saved the contest in terms of a fairness doctrine overall, but it also created the most competitive category of the entire event.  And nary a complaint was heard!  The division provided a rugged group of 11 contestants with no less than six competitors who boasted solid national level contest resumes and the physiques to back it up.

For the judges, it was no picnic in the park.  The top group included a chiseled Nadia Nardi in her best shape ever, the superbly structured Cindy Phillips – runner-up in this class a year earlier, international veteran competitor Johanna Dejager – who showed outrageously developed biceps, hamstrings and abdominals, and the newly crowned Alberta overall champion Jessika Lafontaine with a set of legs to die for.
Bottomline, the final decision could have gone a number of ways depending on the judge’s assessment with all these quality physiques and their differing structural and muscular shapes.

This night the scores favored Nadia Nardi’s sharp definition – especially in her quads and upper body. At 5-1, the self-employed chef and caterer cooked herself up an outstanding muscular look that was tightly packed with 123 pounds of cultivated muscle.  Nardi is a former BC Provincial champion and was the runner-up MW at the 2004 Canadian Championships. Her entry this year was supported by the desire to make amends for the disappointing fourth-place finish she suffered at last year’s Canadians.

“I totally blew it last year,” relates Nardi about her fourth place finish in the middleweights. I just wasn’t taking the contest seriously enough and I learned my lesson. I was determined to do it right this year, and Helen Bouchard kept me on track all the way.  I was on a 20-week prep for this event, so I’m ecstatic that I won.  It was a long time to stay focused at the level Helen wanted me, but I can’t complain with the results. She knows her stuff!”

Markedly different in physical structure and muscle shapes was runner-up Cindy Phillips. A comparative youngster at 23, Phillips is a former Canadian Junior champion who is steadily developing into a very fine bodybuilder. A runner-up at last year’s Canadians to eventual overall champion Nicole Ball, Phillips is a prototype for the idyllic genetic structure in which to build a pro level physique for the future.

johanna dejaegerIn this case, the future came sooner rather than later when Phillips found herself on the receiving end of a Canadian Federation decision to award a ‘discretionary pro card’ after Nadia Nardi had out-flexed her weight class-winning counterparts for the overall crown and the coveted pro card that goes with the overall championship title. 

Understandably, Phillips was stunned by the pro card decision bringing tears of joy as she was brought back to the stage after the intermission. When asked what her first thoughts were after the announcement that she had been selected for a pro card, Phillips worried about whether her mother (who had accompanied her to the event) was still in the auditorium to see her presentation. Fortunately, she was.  From Halifax, Nova Scotia, Phillips became the first IFBB pro from the tiny maritime province. In addition, she also instantly became the IFBB’s youngest bodybuilding pro, and the youngest Canadian to turn pro since Deanna Panting earned pro status in 1984 at the age of 20.  Phillips’ presence will no doubt help shape the future of the pro division over the next several years.
Further evidence of the quality in this class came by way of third-place finisher Johanna Dejager (pictured). A winner of just about every title available in Canada in the drug-tested competitions, Dejager held her ground well in her first open Canadian Championships finishing third in both the open and Masters divisions.  A silver medalist at last year’s IFBB World Amateur Championships in Spain, Dejager displayed amazing biceps, great detail in her back, and the contest’s best abdominal/serratus combination. Simply amazing.  Dejager, from Kanata, Ontario, will once again represent Canada at the Worlds next month in an effort to win Canada’s first gold in almost two decades. Remarkably, Dejager is 37, bujt barely looks a day over 21.  That fact, in tandem with her outstanding muscular level, also earned her a third-place finish in the Masters class.

jessika lafontaineFourth went to National newcomer Jessika Lefontaine of Alberta. Another in the ever-growing stable of fine competitors in this province, this former track & field sprinter bolted into the forefront of everyone’s attention with a pair of the most beautifully developed legs in the entire event.  In fact, the 5-2, 118-pound Lefontaine was awarded the ‘Best Wheels of the Show’ at the 2007 Alberta Provincial Championships where she also added the MW and overall crowns.  As this 30-year-old beauty adds upper body muscle volume to her physique, she will become a genuine threat in the middleweight class Nationals of the future.

Rounding out the top five in the MW division was Lefontaine’s fellow Albertan Chermine Crick.

Further evidence of the strength and depth of this class was also illustrated by non-placer Heather MacKinnon – yet another budding star from Alberta.  Along with Lyris Cappelle in the HW class, MacKinnon also showed mega-improvement over her past showing at provincial events leading up to the Nationals. Watch for her to crack the top five in 2008.

And so, with both IFBB pro card winners coming from the MW class, the twosome also represented the most geographically diverse distance possible in Canada. With Nadia Nardi calling Victoria, BC home, and Cindy Phillips hailing from Halifax, Nova Scotia, the distance between the two amounts to nearly 2,800 miles – with Victoria bordering on the Pacific and Halifax on the Atlantic.

The Heavyweights
There was little rest for weary judges in the heavyweight class as three very good competitors locked up in a battle of muscular wits that came down to general stage presence and the 'little things' that can make a difference in a decision at almost any level event.

Here, Nathalie Hould of Quebec, Janeen Lankowski from Ontario, and Saskatchewan's Lyris Cappelle all showed excellent physical qualities in a field of 14 contestants, but the trio forced judges to use secondary elements of their comparative looks to finally separate them.

With Nathalie Hould getting the eventual victorious nod, her victory came not so much because of exceptional muscular development, but by presenting herself professionally during virtually every moment of her stage time.  Prepared for the contest by current pro and former Canadian champion Helen Bouchard, the 5-3, 129-pound Hould kept herself at a high level of stage presence throughout the contest. Even when standing in back lineups when not being called out for comparisons, Hould kept her quads separated and a smile on her face.....those 'little things' that can make a difference. A former third-place middleweight finisher at the Canadian Nationals in 2005, Hould's structural qualities were a big plus in keeping her look high in the judges notes.  She  will no doubt return in 2008 to make a push for the overall title - assuming she can repeat her victory here.

For runner-up Janeen Lankowski, her placing was a bitter pill to swallow.  From Kitchener, Ontario, Lankowski is a former gymnast whose posing abilities are without parallel at the amateur level in Canada. After winning the 'Best Poser' award at last year's Canadians, she repeated that accomplishment here. Much improved and in razor-sharp condition, Lankowski now adds another runner-up finish at the Nationals to her second-place finish as a middleweight in 2005. She was third in the HW class at last year's Nationals, but the step up in placing was of little comfort when she had the victory solidly in her sights.

Perhaps the most improved competitor at this year's Nationals was Lyris Cappelle. From the tiny community of Swift Current, Saskatchewan, Cappelle was striking in her overall look wearing a beautiful golden bikini for the evening show. At 5-4, 134 pounds, Cappelle was the runner-up in this class last year, making her notable improvement something of an anomaly while at the same time dropping one place. As was the case with Lankowski, Cappelle also forgot to realize that judges were assessing them throughout the competition, even when they were not in primary callouts. The reality that both were completely relaxed in back lineups and seemingly detached from the competition cost both of them dearly, as they each possessed all the physical tools to win the class. Each will be a prime candidate for the HW title in 2008.....not to mention the overall crown.

nathalie hould, janeen lankowski, lyris cappelleFourth went to Ontario's impressively developed Wendy McMaster. At 5-3, 139 pounds, McMaster was thickly developed throughout her physique and in particular her side chest poses were mind-blowing.  New to the National level, McMaster was prepped for the contest by Laura Binetti, and based on that fact, she will no doubt make notable improvements when the Nationals move to Montreal in 2008. McMaster also finished fourth in the Masters class, further enhancing her initial National debut.

An unfortunate note in this class had Zoa Linsey dropping out after coming down with a bout with the flu upon arriving in Edmonton.  Her weakened state kept her from making an appearance in the contest after traveling from Japan to compete. Her presence in top shape would have no doubt made a significant difference in the final outcome considering the fact that she had finished third in the 2005 Canadians.

Illness also took the wind out of Kim Birtch's sails - and ultimately the contest - as she too would have made this class further impressive (as well as more difficult to judge) with her greatly improved muscular presence.

Also of note was the fact that defending HW champion Pam Howard decided not to return to the evening event after finishing fifth. Her premature exit cost her a final placing as Marylynne MacKenzie moved up to the official fifth-place position.

In other divisions, Marilyn Dupuis of Manitoba took top honors in the Grand Masters class for women over 50, while Quebec’s Nathalie Hould doubled up on her victories by adding the Masters (over 35) competition to go with her open HW win.

Check out our message boards to discuss the show, post your thoughts and chat with athletes from the competition!

cindy phillips, lyris capelle, kim birtch

Results - (full scores)

OPEN (name, prov, score)

Overall:   Nadia Nardi*

Lightweights 
1) Cheryl McCarthy AB    7
2) Carmen Tocheniuk AB    9
3) Heather King  ON    14
4)Amelie Bourget  PQ    25
5) Michelle Richards ON    25
6) Shannon Holman  AB    31
7) Carmela Cierzo  PQ    32
8) Barbara Stannard AB    39
9) Christie Ngo  AB    47
10) Theresa Huarte  AB    56
11) Kandi Thomas  NB    57
12) Susie Dumont  BC    58
13) Jan Sielski  AB    58
14) Julie Smith  SK    70
15) Marilyn Dupuis  MB    74

Middeweights
 
1) Nadia Nardi*    BC    6
2) Cindy Phillips* NS    9
3) Johanna Dejager ON    15
4) Jessika Lafontaine AB    21
5) Chermine Crick AB    24
6) Petre Lemke AB    31
7) Heather MacKinnon AB    37
8) Joanne Hudy SK    40
9) Francina Bezzubetz-Chopp ON    43
10) Kathy Holmes AB    50

Heavyweights
1) Nathalie Hould PQ 5
2) Janeen Lankowski ON 12
3) Lyris Cappelle SK 13
4) Wendy McMaster ON 20
5) MaryLynne Mackenzie ON 29
6) Tana McGowan ON 39
7) Grete Clary AB 39
8) Dawn-Marie Runnalls ON 46
9) Line Sauve PQ 47
10) Lorilee Sweeney BC 55
11) Robin  Eve ON 60
12) Jodi Franczak AB 65
13) Pamela Howard ON ** (Withdrew)


* Eligible for IFBB Pro Card


MASTERS 
1) Nathalie Hould PQ 6
2) Cheryl McCarthy AB 12
3) Johanna Dejaeger ON 13
4)  Wendy McMaster ON    20
5)  Heather King ON    27
6)  Petre Lemke  AB    28
7)  Shannon Holman AB    37
8)  Grete Clary AB    38
9)  Tana McGowan ON    49
10) Francina Bezzubetz-Chopp ON  50
11) Line Suave PQ    51
12) Jan Sielski AB    60
13) Theresa Huarte AB    64
14) Julie Smith SK    69
15) Robin Eve ON    74
16 tie) Catherine Lopez  AB     
16 tie) Lorilee Sweeney  BC


GRAND MASTERS
1) Marilyn Dupuls
2) Lore Schwuchow
3) Pam Eisen


Last updated: August 21, 2007 @ 5:07 p.m. PT

       

     

     

       

     

       

       

       

       

       

       

      

     

       

       

       

       

       

       

      

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

     

       

       

       

       

       

       

      

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      

       

       

       

       

       

       

      

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

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