May 1, 2006

The Canadian Competitive Season Begins

Nothing happens in Canadian bodybuilding in January – it’s probably just too cold everywhere, and it’s also likely too close to Christmas and the New Year. In February, though, things start heating up on the professional side of the sport – the IronMan competition is held at this time, and at the beginning of March there is the Arnold Classic. For Canadian-based amateurs, though, things really don’t start going until April, and then things are in full-swing by May and June.

In April, I attended the Quebec National Qualifier (Quebec’s drug-tested event that qualifies their province’s competitors for the CBBF National World Qualifier), as well as the annual Stratford Championships in Ontario. In case you didn’t know, the Stratfords are a big deal – they are the largest local-level event in Canada, boasting about 100 competitors these days.

Following those season openers are a number of local and regional events – usually held in May and into June. Then further along in June and into July, a number of provinces hold their provincial championships. Things start taking off at the Canadian national level in July this year, too.

While not a bodybuilding event, the CBBF Canadian Fitness and Figure Championships are a physique event, and they are being held this year on July 1 in Edmonton, Alberta. Then, on August 6 is the CBBF National World Qualifier – the first national-level bodybuilding event of the year. It’s going to be held in Toronto this year; in fact, I know some people who are getting ready for that show right now!

The CBBF National World Qualifier is quite a show, because it qualifies Canadian competitors for the IFBB World Championships. Winning the Qualifier not only means claiming a national-level title, it often means representing Canada at the World Championships too. It’s also a drug-tested event – some even call it the "Natural Canadians," although National World Qualifier is really the correct name. The fact that it’s such a prestigious event is exactly why Quebec’s Stéphane Bussière, who is featured on our cover this month, is training so hard. He’s the 2005 CBBF National World Qualifier Heavyweight Champion. Last year he even decided not to go to the Worlds; instead, he chose to get back in the gym, train hard, and then return this year with the goal of reclaiming the title, and perhaps go off to the Worlds too.

Stéphane is the biggest natural guy I know – his arms are at least 19 inches, even when he’s in rock-hard condition. He’s also one of the hardest trainers I’ve ever seen – the guy puts so much into each set he sometimes almost makes himself sick!

Of course, he won’t be the only person there. Well-known Canadian competitor John Raposo is close to 50 years of age, and he still has one of the best physiques in the nation. He has looked amazing at the Qualifier for the last two years, winning the over-40 Masters class and the open-age Senior Middleweight class in each. I’m sure he’ll be back this year too.

I also heard a rumor that Guy Bourgon might be giving the Qualifier a go again. Guy placed second in the Heavyweights in 2004, but failed to make the top 15 at the World Championships, even though he was actually good enough to make the top 10. (Judging, judging, judging – if you only knew!) If he comes back this year, however, I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see him compete in the new men’s Classic Bodybuilding division that rewards shape over all-out size. It’s a brand new contest at the Qualifier this year, and Canada is supposedly sending a Classic Bodybuilding team to the Worlds. Guy’s physique seems ideal for it.

Of course, I haven’t yet mentioned the CBBF Canadian Bodybuilding Championships, which will be held in September in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. This year’s event is being promoted by Harvey Viteychuk’s Scorpion Productions. Harvey’s no stranger to competition promotion – he staged the 2003 CBBF Canadian Bodybuilding Championships, the one where Frank McGrath took the Overall title, and it was a huge success.

It’s at this competition, of course, that coveted IFBB Pro Cards get awarded. For many, this is the dream of a lifetime. Who will be this year’s winner? Frankly, I have no idea, but undoubtedly there are many good bodybuilders in Canada who could take the Overall title and become pro – I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.

So while it’s too early to know how anything will really turn out, it’s safe to say that the 2006 Canadian competitive bodybuilding season is off to a great start, and there will be plenty to see for many months to come. Stayed tuned to SeriousAboutMuscle.com for updates on these events, and check out our sister sites, BodyBuildingLive.com and ThePhotoIssue.com, for complete contest coverage and photographs.

...Doug Schneider, Publisher
das@seriousaboutmuscle.com

Doug Schneider is the publisher and chief photographer for SeriousAboutMuscle.com, BodyBuildingLive.com, and SeriousAboutFitness.com.