This photo reveals two big reasons why I love attending the NPC West Coast Classic each year. 1) I get to meet wonderful athletes like Monica Labriola, who swept the open and masters figure divisions, and 2) it’s the only physique contest on this earth where I get to give out trophies.
Re Monica: The A-class quarter-turner, who is now six for three, having taken masters and open overalls her first two shows as well, has quite a story. A mother of five kids—all boys—she endured the greatest trial a parent can endure—the loss of her middle son to brain cancer at age eight a couple of years ago. In the aftermath, she took to the gym, and the results eventually found their way onstage. Before coming out from Ohio for this event, she earned top honors at ’12 NPC Cincinnati Championships and the ’12 NPC Natural Northern Ohio.
Monica is heading to the ’12 Teen, Collegiate, Masters Nationals in Pittsburgh on July 20-21. This is definitely one to keep an eye on.
Re trophy shot: Promoter Lonnie Teper, my longtime colleague at IRON MAN, always puts me on the presenters list. My thanks for schlepping out from Hollywood to the festivities in Rosemead, California, I guess. This year I got to give out two overall trophies—both to Monica Labriola—and stand onstage with the legendary Shawn Ray. Good times.
Photo: Shawn Ray and yours truly hail the new West Coast Classic Figure champ.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login