Holloman Airmen get pumped for Musclemania

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman DeAndre Curtiss
  • 49th Wing Public Affairs
HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  Obtaining strength and body composition through exercise, nutrition and training are key elements of the physical fitness pillar of the Comprehensive Airman Fitness program.

Though physical fitness and nutrition are key elements of CAF, they also are key elements of professional bodybuilding. Team Holloman will have four Airmen participating in the Musclemania bodybuilding competition in Albuquerque, N.M., May 12.

"I have been bodybuilding for two years, and this is my first competition," said Staff Sgt. Destin Stark, 49th Civil Engineer Squadron. "I want to become the very best I can be and be able to look back on my life with no regrets. I would love to be a pro one day."

Musclemania is a world touring bodybuilding competition which began in 1991. Now in its 20th season, the event has grown to be one of America's most popular bodybuilding competitions. Competitors are broken down into seven divisions, each broken down further into different weight classes. Musclemania judging criteria is based upon four, equally scored categories.

Those categories are symmetry, muscle mass, condition, and a posing presentation for the top five finalists. The top five finalists in each division or weight class will perform their individual posing routines which are limited to 90 seconds.

The competition occurring May 12 is a U.S. Professional Qualifier which means the top three competitors of each division or weight class will receive their professional bodybuilder card which enables them to compete on the pro circuit.

"At last year's event, I won first place in the Heavyweight Novice division and second place in the Men's Open Middleweight," said Staff Sgt. Joseph Sapikowski, 49th Security Forces Squadron. "My purpose for lifting is to earn a pro card and compete on a professional level."

The four competitors from Holloman AFB have been training extensively for months to make sure their physiques are Musclemania ready. They prepared with a combination of work out supplements, a high protein low carbohydrates diet, six days of weightlifting, and 30 minutes of cardio each day they trained.

The Team Holloman personnel going to Musclemania are Master Sgt. Antoine Anderson, 49th SFS; Staff Sgt. Joseph Sapikowski, 49th SFS; Staff Sgt. Destin Stark, 49th CES; and Senior Airman Benjamin Daigre, 49th SFS.

For more information on the Musclemania competition, visit their website at musclemania.com.