| December 1, 2007 New Faces – Andrey Yashenko
Last month, I
wrote about the continuous decline of Canadian bodybuilding coverage in the print media
and how SeriousAboutMuscle.com has become the new voice of Canadian bodybuilding. One
reason we can be considered the "voice" is because we don’t just do
Canadian coverage; our content focuses mostly on Canada. Another is because all of
our writers are from Canada as well. In fact, all of our Q&A writers are Canadian
bodybuilding champions. And yet another reason is because in the last seven years,
we’ve attended more bodybuilding competitions than anyone else in Canada. In other
words, we know the scene.
As a result, SeriousAboutMuscle.com is committed to
Canadian bodybuilding, and we see more new talent than anyone – the competitors who
might become future Canadian champions and maybe even write for us some day. So,
given the Canadian-based focus of SeriousAboutMuscle.com, we feel that we must do all we
can to showcase our champions and introduce the new Canadian talent that we find.
A new face in Canada is Andrey Yashenko, one of the most
impressive bodybuilders that I’ve seen in a while and who is featured on our cover
this month. On November 10, Andrey entered the Ottawa Championships, winning the
Middleweight class as well as the Overall title. On the same day, he entered the Masters
category at the Eastern Ontario Championships, which he also won hands down. Two weeks
later, Andrey entered the Western Ontario Championships and took the Middleweight and
Overall titles again. That’s five trophies in two weeks!
A number of things impressed me about Andrey. First and
foremost, I was amazed by his rock-hard, superbly chiselled physique – old-school
shape and hardness that many current-day competitors lack. Frankly, you don’t see
many competitors who look like he does these days.
Andrey Yashenko in Ottawa
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Second, Andrey knows how to pose. I mean, he
really knows how to pose, which is something most modern-day competitors don’t
have a clue about, even the pros. Andrey not only executes each pose almost perfectly, but
he also knows how to showcase his physique in a well-choreographed posing routine. On both
competition dates, his exceptional presentation skills drew the loudest ovations from the
crowd. No other competitors even came close.
Third, when I spoke to Andrey following the first show, I
found that he has an interesting story to tell. Andrey is 41 years old and originally from
the Ukraine; however, he’s been living in Canada for a few years now. The most
interesting thing he said, though, was that before November 10, he hadn’t competed in
15 years. I almost fell over when he said that. The last time was in 1992, when he
was just 26. What a comeback!
I have no doubt that if Andrey competes at the 2008 Ontario
Provincial Championships, he could become a provincial champion as early as next June. And
will he become a Canadian Champion as well? In 2008? I have no idea what his plans are,
but I believe he has the talent. Obviously, time will tell.
Andrey Yashenko is of the best new competitors I’ve
seen in some time. But, of course, there are others as well. So look for more new faces to
be featured here from time to time as we travel to events all over Canada seeking them
out.
...Doug Schneider, Publisher
das@seriousaboutmuscle.com
Doug Schneider is the publisher and chief photographer
for SeriousAboutMuscle.com, BodyBuildingLive.com, and SeriousAboutFitness.com.
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