2009 NPC Pacific USA Natural Bodybuilding Championships in Anaheim, Ca August 15, 2009 (Downtown Los Angeles above) Written by Jeff Alberts Photos by Jhanna Alberts
Coming off my WNBF Pro card win last week in Washington I traveled to Anaheim to compete in the NPC Pacific USA Naturals. After winning the week before I was not really motivated to do this show, but I was already committed to do the show 3 weeks prior. I celebrated a little too much on the Sunday after Washington with pizza and cookies! I gained 8 lbs and I knew I was not going to be better than I was in Washington. On Monday and Tuesday I dieted hard by dropping my carbs way down and pushed hard on the cardio to try and shed some of the 8 lbs I was holding. By Wednesday morning I had dropped 4 lbs and I looked incredibly flat. I was in big trouble at this point so I decided to start carbing up on Wednesday and continued carbing up until the the day of the show. By Saturday morning I weighed in at 163 lbs. This was 4 lbs heavier than Washington and it showed. I did not have the same muscularity, but I did have more size which in the NPC could be to my favor. I was somewhere around 85-90% of my best condition and I was hoping I would do well. On Friday I had to go to downtown Los Angeles to take a polygraph test to make sure I was drug free for at least a year, in which I am a lifetime natural. The NPC Pacific USA Natural's rules state you must be drug free for at least one year to compete.
Before heading into the polygraphers office.
Right after taking the polygraph. Thumbs up for passing with flying colors as a lifetime natural athlete! At the polygraphers office I got the opportunity to meet a really awesome person and natural bodybuilder, Joe Yezzi. Joe came all the way from Hawaii to compete in the show. Joe competed in the Armed Forces division as well as the lightweight class in the Pacific USA Naturals. Joe has been serving in the Air Force for nearly 20 years and it was an honor to have met and competed with him.
Joe Yezzi (2nd from right) taking 3rd place in the Armed Forces Division.
Joe Yezzi (2nd from left) taking 2nd place in the lightweight division. I was a middleweight and there was 10 very good natural athletes in the class. Moses Ajala was there and he packs plenty of muscle. Moses placed 3rd in last years Natural Olympia so I knew I had my hands full with him. They split us up in 2 groups of five to be compared in the symmetry round.
2nd Group Middleweight - Symmetry Front (I am 2nd from left)
2nd Group - Symmetry Back (I am 2nd from left) After the symmetry comparisons we were instructed to perform a 60 second individual routine without music.
Definitely bigger this week but not as sharp.
Still showing good hamstring detail!
I used Pro Tan for this show instead of Jan Tana. Looked a lot better than in Washington!
Most muscular for the judges! The judges got a good look at us after the 60 second routines and then it was on to the muscularity round. Moses was definitely the man with the most muscle and the rest of the guys were ready to go head to head to claim the middleweight crown! Here are some shots from the top 5 middleweights.
Jose Chavarria, Moses Ajala, Jeff Alberts, Daniel Alexander, Jason DeLaCruz
Battle of the Biceps
Front Lat Spread
Side Chest (my favorite shot!)
Side Triceps - check out Daniel Alexander's leg size!! (Far Right) Not bad for a 20 year old!
Rear Double Biceps - Is that Ronnie Coleman to my left? It's Moses!
Rear Lat Spread - My main focus for next contest season. (back thickness to match my leg development)
Abs & Thighs
Top 5 middles hitting a most muscular!
The judges wanted another look, they moved a few guys around for more comparisons. They moved Jason DeLaCruz in on the action. Jason took the overall novice title! (Far right)
Battle of the Guns!
Front Lat Spread - No more smiles, all business!
Most Muscular - The judges had their work cut out for them as all three of us were displaying plenty of quality muscle.
The prejudging posedown was short in duration, but not short on intensity. Here is a couple of shots with the 2nd group.
After getting some much needed rest after the prejudging, I was ready to go back to the finals. I ate a few meals in between the prejudging and the finals and I felt confident heading into the finals. I knew it was going to be a very close decision for Moses and myself. Moses with his outstanding mass, is a very tough competitor.
Part of my much appreciated support team! David & Tiffany at the hotel before the finals.
Getting some final tanning touch ups by my wife Jhanna before the finals.
Some more touchups before the finals. With this being my 4th show of the year, I can see my back starting to show the wear and tear and losing some size. Much needed rest is in order after 4 shows!
Having a shootout with David before the finals! David Bradford, Mr. Natural 2010!!
As the finals started, I was confident I was going to perform well and here are the shots from my posing routine.
My starting position.
Front Double Biceps
3/4 Twisting Back
Side Chest
Rear Double Biceps
Most Muscular
Crab Most Muscular
After the top 5 finished their posing routines we went head to head in a short posedown for the audience. The final placings went as follows.
Daniel Alexander 4th, Moses Ajala 2nd, Jeff Alberts 1st, Jason DeLaCruz 3rd, Jose Chavarria 5th
In fact, I was fortunate enough to win by 1 point, 5-4. I feel it could have gone either way as Moses carries a lot of muscle and for 50 years of age, he is a huge inspiration for others to follow. Then it was on to the overall comparisons for the title of "2009 NPC Pacific USA Natural Champion". The lightweight winner was Austin Kong, middleweight winner Jeff Alberts, light heavyweight winner Scott Reynolds and the heavyweight winner Greg Grant.
Austin Kong, Jeff Alberts, Scott Reynolds, Greg Grant - From the front I was competitive.
Front Double Biceps - Still holding my own!
Front Lats - Scott's conditioning & size starting to take over!
Side Chest - Maybe?
Side Triceps - Maybe Not!
Rear Double Biceps - Scott's back was just too much, game over for me!
Rear Lat Spread
Abs & Thigh - Scott was chiseled out of granite!
Most Muscular
After the overall comparisons and final posedown, Scott Reynolds was declared the winner in a unanimous decision, 8 votes to 1 vote. I congratulate Scott as he was totally shredded and very desrving of the title!
Scott Reynolds Light Heavyweight & Overall Winner This show really tested my will as I was coming off a contest the previous weekend. I started the week out by being 8 lbs over and I came in to this show a little heavier than I wanted. I decided to try to carb up more than I have ever done in the past and I feel I was definitely the fullest I have ever been . I carbed up on Wednesday before with 500 grams, Thursday 600 grams and Friday with 800 grams. I did cut my water down to 1 1/2 gallons on Friday and I should have taken in 3 gallons as I seemed I could have been even fuller and harder with more water. You live and learn!
Myself & Joe enjoying El Toritos after the show! Great to have met Joe and hang out with a new friend!
Myself & Joe dreaming of burgers!
David & Myself getting ready to go to IHOP! That bicep looks even bigger after that mexican food last night!
Inhaling Country Fried Steak, Hash Browns, 3 eggs, Side of toast and three pancakes!!
Heading back home to Northern California, L.A. traffic! How fun is that!
From all that traffic I needed a Baskin Robbins break! Two scoop sundae with hot fudge, whip cream, nuts and Cherry!
After 4 shows I have decided to call it a season! I have had a very succesful 2009! Two pro card victories with the NGA and WNBF and two class wins. I am severely burnt out and I am ready to take a much needed break and come back next contest season even better. I want to THANK everyone who has supported me through this journey. My journey is not over, there is still more to come. STAY TUNED!!!! |
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