Contest Report - 1997 Adelaide Physique Classic by Janelle McLean.

Once again the Adelaide Physique Classic has come and gone and left us with a lot of new faces and new physiques with great futures. Although the number of competitors was down after the highly successful South Australian Championships last year, the quality was excellent. The 1997 version of the Adelaide was supported by major sponsor Living Health and further supported by Black & Blue, Australian Muscle, Bodywise Gym, Bronze Bodies, Fitness Warehouse, Fox's Gym, Gold's Gym, Ironworks, Limbo Gym, Musashi, Parks Sports Complex and Southbound Gym. The event was run by SABBA under NABBA rules.

To open the show, Terri Roberts and the Body Team put on a great routine, showing off the benefits of Dream Tan. The proceedings were underway with the Men's First Timers Class. This class is certainly a starting point for future champions and the talent seems to get better with each outing. Winner of this division was DEAN JENKINSON with great muscularity and condition. Runner up STUART COCKS was very classy in his presentation and had good symmetry. Third placer RAYMOND PALMER showed potential for even better placings next time round.

With only one teenager contesting the class, victory went to STEPHEN STAMOULIS. Stephen was in excellent condition and was a worthy recipient of the "Most Potential" trophy.

The Men's Novice section was a toughie. Three athletes did battle in this round and it was very close. In third spot was MAURICE GALLINA with a commendable effort for his first SABBA showing. Second placer ROB AYLETT was in his best condition to date with striated glutes and quads and wide lats. Winner BRETT JANSEN topped his previous outings by coming in bigger and harder. Brett has brought his upper body up to match his well developed legs and presented a great package.

Next up was Figure, and as always a judging nightmare. This lineup was quality packed. Newcomer BELINDA WILTON took home the coveted winners title and "Best Presentation" trophy. Sporting a great structure, she made quite an impact for her debut SABBA outing. Runner up LORRAINE MARCH was in the best shape of her life, with added muscle in her back and shoulders and trademark 'sharp as a tack' condition. DEBBIE DOHNT placed third with a very pleasing physique and excellent condition. Fourth place finisher was TANIA CRAIG. She looked stunning on stage.

REBECCA   DAWSON   was   the lone Women's First Timer competitor and was brought out with the figure lineup. Rebecca had good quality muscle for someone so young. She had great thickness in her quads and very nicely shaped arms.

Women's Physique made up for lack of numbers with plenty of muscle. NAOMI PARISH came from nowhere to take the title, her previous experience being a third place in the 1994 Whyalla First Timers. Naomi was very lean and had good symmetry. Chasing Naomi for the title was SHANNON STEPHENS. Shannon obviously worked hard in the year since she last competed and had increased her muscle size with her arms and chest highlighting her physique.

Last year there was only one, this year there were four top physiques battling it out for the Mr Adelaide title. Coming out on top was the super ripped and vascular BILL BRYSON.
Bill has great symmetry, striated triceps, incredibly defined hamstrings, just to name a few of his best points. MARK TREWARTHA managed to pack even more muscle on his already hugely developed body. He was awesome to say the least. Mark was also in better condition than on previous occasions and his posing was superb, hence his being awarded the "Best Presentation" trophy. Last years SA First Timer winner PETER WELLING grabbed third spot. Peter looked very impressive. Rounding out the field was PETER MANDER in fourth place winning the battle of the Peters! Peter put in a good effort for this contest and came in well prepared.

For the selection of the team to represent South Australia at the NABBA Australia titles in Melbourne the judges chose, Bill Bryson, Mark Trewartha, Belinda Wilton, Stephen Stamoulis and Brett Jansen. Lorraine March also represented SA in the team.

Also on the night was a demonstration of the new Miss Fitness section to be introduced at the SA. The participants were Kim Knott, Helen McDonald and Nadia Donato. The crowd seem to really appreciate the girl's efforts and hopefully the three inspired members of the audience to compete in September. Kim deserves a special mention for the fantastic routine she displayed. Helen and Nadia also deserve special mentions as they both had injuries limiting them on the night.
MC Scott McBain was his usual success on the microphone and got the crowd pumped and vocal.

All class winners received beautiful team jackets supplied by Black & Blue.
Now for a big thank you to the three guys, Aaron Savic, Russell and Paul, who travelled from Renmark, leaving 6am, to help set up the venue and stayed until the very end of the show to pack up and then travel back home to Renmark. Your help was very much appreciated.