MUSCLE BEACH BODYBUIDLING & FIGURE EVENTS 2006
The Muscle Beach International Classic, held Memorial Day Weekend, kicked off the season at Muscle Beach . The event attracted competitors from all over the world. The Norwegian team of Kim Torgersen, Overall Men’s Winner, Marthe Sundby, Overall Women’s Winner and Hege Mathieson, Overall Figure Winner swept the competition. Venice was honored with an F-16 Jet Flyover that started the show and brought the fans to their feet. An induction ceremony of 30 new Recruits was part of the observance that honored the men and women of the United States Armed Services. The Air Force Commanders Jazz Ensemble gave an excellent concert following pre-judging and the Army brought static equipment for display. Rado Pagac won the Tuff Stuff Posing Award for his athletic routine.
The Muscle Beach Venice Bodybuilding Hall of Fame inducted three notable bodybuilders including Mickey Hargitay, Samir Bannout and Glenn Sundby. It was a pleasure to be able to share that day with Mickey as it was his last public appearance.
World Gym hosted this year’s events and Iron Man Magazine sponsored the Hall of Fame. In addition, each event had an exciting Fit Expo with vendors from the industry providing education and gifts to the public.
The Mr. & Ms. Muscle Beach on July 4th saw the induction of Bill Pearl, Bill Grant and Charlie Fautz into the Muscle Beach Venice Bodybuilding Hall of Fame. The contest winner’s were LaShawn Gonzales, Overall Men’s, Magdalena Avendeno, Women’s Overall and Lana Titus, Overall Figure. Stevie Rivera won the Tuff Stuff Posing Award.
The season ended with a bang!! The Muscle Beach Championship, September 4th, 2006 Labor Day saw the presentation of the first Lifetime Achievement Award to Mr. Joe Weider. Returning to Muscle Beach to present the award was Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. Mr. Weider’s contribution to the sport of Bodybuilding is renown throughout the world.
Arnold ’s words of praise and respect for Mr. Weider were heart felt and acknowledged his deep appreciation for all that Joe Weider has done to promote the sport of bodybuilding. In addition Gene Mozee, Leroy Colbert and Rachel McLish were inducted into the Muscle Beach Venice
The Overall Men’s winner was Dan Hester, Overall Women’s winner was Kimm Winn, and the Overall Figure winner was Melanie Garcia. The Tuff Stuff Posing Award went to Larry Brown.
RETURN TO MUSCLE BEACH
2006 SEASON SYNOPSIS
The 2006 Return to Muscle Beach
Season was a huge success. The season, sponsored by Gold’s
Gym began with the creation and distribution of the Return To
Muscle Beach Poster. The poster was seen on the Muscle Beach
Venice website, Bodybuilding.com website, Graphic Muscle website,
and Get Big website. An article in the Argonaut announced the
season and attracted spectators in the Los Angeles area.
Ten shows featured from three to eight bodybuilding athletes who demonstrated posing routines, discussed diet and exercise programs, educated the public regarding mandatory competition poses, and encouraged a fit lifestyle for all. Each show featured Figure competitors who were a great hit with the fans and photo opportunities were provided which supported the world-renowned fame of the Muscle Beach Athletes
Giveaway merchandise provided by the Venice Gold’s Gym and was a huge success with the audience. Between five to seven hundred people watched each event. The local Venice residents expressed a keen support of the events and felt that a strong beginning was achieved in returning the International recognition of Muscle Beach as the place to participate in the bodybuilding experience.
Thanks to all the athletes that participated and made the first Return to Muscle Beach Season a win-win for everyone.
