Sabers take 2007 US Forces Europe Bodybuilding Championships by storm

Published Oct. 2, 2007
By Master Sgt. Troy Saunders, 52nd Logistics Readiness Squadron and
Staff Sgt. Tammie Moore, 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- Once again, Spangdahlem took charge against Europe's best at the 2007 US Forces Europe Bodybuilding Championships in Grafenwoehr, Germany, Sept. 15.

With a contingent of three female and three male competitors, Spangdahlem Air Base was the best represented base in Europe. The six Saber competitors took home six trophies and the overall winner title.

Yasmine Rieck, Embry Riddle University and a veteran bodybuilder, made her debut into the competitive Women's Figure contest. Her outstanding condition and experience on stage was evident in her fourth place finish in the Women's Short class. Next up was Alex Goncalves, 52nd Services Squadron, also made her debut in the Women's Short Class. Goncalves's stage presence, and high quality form, was a favorite of the judges and helped to catapult her into a third place win. Finally, not to be outdone by her fellow contestants, Michele Rossignol-Williams, 52nd SVS, made her debut in the Women's Figure Tall Class. Rossignol-Williams wowed the crowd with a top-quality physique, and had the highest marks for her outstanding poise. This strong combination led her to secure second place.

This year's team also featured Spandahlem's fittest male athletes.

Justin Usery's, 52nd Security Forces Squadron, outstanding combination of conditioning and mass seized him first place in the Lightweight category. In the Lightheavy Weight category Troy Saunders, 52nd Logistics Readiness Squadron, returned to competition with his trademark top conditioning. Saunders captured the first place title proving that his previous two year's class wins were no fluke. The final men's competitor, Anthony Anderson, 52nd LRS, in his second competition ever, easily earned second place in the Heavyweight category due to his muscle quality and mass which set the standard for others.

With Usery and Saunders both capturing first place winners, the two went head-to-head for the overall title. Since both showed outstanding conditioning, in the end, it proved a matter of the most densely muscled athlete coming out as the 2007 US Forces Overall Male Bodybuilder. Unquestionably Usery brought the most complete package earning not only the overall title, but also becoming the newest pro-bodybuilder in International Natural Bodybuilding Federation.

"This victory has changed my entire life and opened doors that I thought were not going to open," Usery said. "I am still stocked that I won the competition. I am concentrating on being a pro and getting ready for the World Championships' in New York Nov. 10."

As a competition sponsored by the INBF, athletes must be drug free with all class winners required to be drug tested. In addition, athletes are judged in a comparison round of seven mandatory poses, a symmetry round for overall muscle balance and in their individual performances.

One of the biggest challenges competitors face when preparing for this is maintaining their diets.

"Being a natural athlete, you can't cheat at all on your diet and that is the most tedious and challenging part of the whole thing," Usery said. "I worked extremely hard never cheating on my diet especially the last few weeks. I put everything I had into it, and it paid off."

Preparing for competitions of this nature is not a task that the athletes were able to tackle alone.

"All of us relied heavily on each other for support and motivation and their accomplishments are truly impressive," Saunders said. "In addition, we would like to give a special thanks to Lee Solandro, INBF pro-bodybuilder, for guidance, training advice and video work."

In addition to the support of other's dedication, amateur body builders can achieve great things.

"Keep believing in yourself and the results will come with time and hard work," Usery said. "You must have a strong work ethic and the will to succeed and be successful in the sport. If you have that, everything will fall into place."