The historic Norwood Town Hall was again the venue for the 2007 NABBA/WFF championships and in true Adelaidian fashion, the crowd were enthusiastically vocal and excited as the show opened with an electric display of latin dance.

TV personality and ex-AFL star, Troy Gray returned as compere, fresh from the footy finals and immediately fired up the crowd to welcome the competitors to the stage.

Luke Tsoutsoras showed that the future of bodybuilding is bright as he posed beautifully to take out the WFF Teenage division. Luke has a tall, broad frame with balanced development for his age and has a charismatic stage presence. In the WFF Novice, Kym Papadimitroulis surprised with tremendous improvements over the last 12 months. Kym was sharp and had added a great deal of muscle to his frame. Although the only competitors in their classes, both men thoroughly deserved their wins and would have inspired many others to take up the challenge next year.

The quality kept coming as the NABBA Juniors took to the stage. Winner Matthew McHugh presented a well balanced, symmetrical physique with great condition and presentation. Matthew has all the foundation there to become a very successful bodybuilder in the future. Runner up was Andrew Brinkworth. Andrew made a commendable debut and just needs more overall development.   Two outstanding physiques were on stage for the NABBA Men’s Novice. Winner Glen Gattellaro will be a potential force to be reckoned with in class 4. Glen had thick slabs of muscle, an unbelievable mid-section and great overall development. Runner up and deserving of a high commendation was Greg Harrisson. Greg showed us what bodybuilding competition is all about by making unbelievable gains in the past 12 months. Greg had successfully brought up his lagging bodyparts, was in the condition of his life and posed with confidence and style. Clearly Greg had listened and applied himself and made us all very proud. The NABBA Masters were next and again we had two very different physiques on display, but each of them showing quality and class. Winner John Phillips presented a neat and balanced package. His condition was great and he clearly enjoyed himself on stage. Runner up Robert Turner had a classical physique with fantastic upper body development and muscle maturity. Robert became harder the more he posed and had he applied more tan in pre-judging, could have made it a very close call! Robert last competed with NABBA in 1986 when he won the novice class! Let’s hope he doesn’t wait so long between shows next time! He’s done well to maintain such great shape.  In the first of the womens events, we had the combined NABBA Novice Figure and the NABBA Masters over 35 Figure. In a close contest, Rebecca Leane just outscored Zoe Cropley to take the novice title. Rebecca had prepared well with her diet and was in sharp condition. With a little more muscle development and posing confidence, she will  certainly do well in figure contests in the future. Zoe showed plenty of promise, with a dazzling smile and an entertaining routine. Coming in a little lighter and leaner will see Zoe  place higher and having already made tremendous progress, she has a great foundation to work from. Proving that bodybuilders, like fine wine, only improve with time, Jan-Marie

Larsen treated the audience to an elegant performance, displaying lovely shape and great condition. Having consistently competed for many years, Jan was in the shape of her life and a worthy  Masters Figure winner.  Awesome is the word that springs to mind when referring to the lovely Leigh Jarrett. Leigh was breathtaking in her festive tangerine costume and performed a vibrant, energetic routine which beautifully displayed her incredible muscularity and condition. As the NABBA Figure Class 1 winner, she again continues to impress with each show. Runner up Sonia Merritt was stunning and was the epitome of feminine shape and athleticism. Coming in at her lightest weight and in beautiful condition, I would have loved to have seen Sonia contest the WFF class at the Australian Titles in Melbourne. Perhaps next year?

Two familiar faces appeared on stage for the WFF Mens Masters.  “Lean Machine” Warwick Williams was awarded first place. Warwick seems to have boundless energy, competing in just about every show and working two very demanding jobs. Always in razor sharp condition, I would like to see Warwick  a little fuller next time. Ray Moyle was runner up, with a lovely posing routine and commendable consistency and enthusiasm. Ray has a good large frame with good muscle development but just needs to come in harder to place higher. The WFF Mens Class 3 was a tightly contested event with two outstanding physiques. Brian Warneke presented a nice overall package to take out the class from Sandro Santucci, who was also in superb condition but needs to bring a little more fullness to his pecs and delts.  Reminiscent of a young Shane Stratton, namesake Shane Kaehne took the honours in the WFF Mens Class 2 from diamond in the rough Ben Donoghue.  Shane posed with flair and was in fantastic shape with good overall development. While still needing to be harder, Ben was a surprise package with unbelievable genetic potential. He has everything there to be a top level competitor, with full muscle bellies and a classical shape. It was hard to believe that Ben had only seriously taken up bodybuilding this year and he was a worthy recipient of the inaugural John Davis Memorial Trophy for most potential.  In his first contest, Anthony Markwell came in razor sharp in the WFF Mens Class 1. With a little more mass, he will be a threat in the future but had to settle for 2nd this time around. Mike Sloan presented a perfectly balanced physique with a charismatic and also took out the WFF Overall Title.

The crowd were treated to a special guest appearance by NABBA Ms Universe, Terri Roberts with internationally acclaimed dancer Dion Hasty. The elegant, contemporary routine showcased Terri’s grace and style, complimented by Dion’s dynamic blend of classical and funky moves.

Tributes were also made by Tony Griffin and Wayne Gallasch in honour of former NABBA SA chairman of judges, John Davis who recently passed away. John  devoted over 50 years of service to bodybuilding in Australia and had inspired and influenced nearly every bodybuilder who had ever taken to the stage in that time. John’s passion for the sport and tireless enthusiasm will be sorely missed yet his presence was still felt by all in attendance.

The show resumed with the WFF Novice Figure. In her debut, Klara McKenzie presented beautifully and will do well with more overall development to bring more shape to her tall, slender figure. Winner, Daniella Jelonek was lovely in her first contest, with a neat and balanced athletic figure and a perfectly executed, feminine routine. Daniella was also awarded the trophy for best presentation. Last but not least in the ladies divisions, was the lovely Alison Moyle  in the WFF Figure Class 1.  Alison  has beautiful, feminine lines and good overall development. She poses with elegance and grace and her love of the sport comes through in her performance. Coming in a little tighter will see Alison continue to succeed in any line-up. Both she and husband Ray deserve a special mention for their backstage behaviour and encouragement directed towards other competitors. Their infectious enthusiasm was much appreciated!