Often the biggest show in body building, both in terms of the size of the athletes and the size of the show, the 2010 NPC USA Body Building, Figure & Bikini Championships were held in Las Vegas over the weekend of July 30th.  Three Alaska atheltes competed in Sin City, Diane Singh in Figure, Robyn Ray and Zlata Sushchik in Bikini. 

These Alaskans represented our state in style, placing highly in very large and competitive classes.  In a quality class of over 30 beautiful women, Diane Singh placed a respectable eighth and, in what is perhaps one of the largest bikini classes ever, Robyn Ray garnered a 2nd place finish, missing her IFBB Pro card by one place.  Zlata Sushchik wasn't far behind Ray with a 3rd place finish.

Interview by Shawn Clapp - Editor in Chief

In 2009, the NPC saw the first National level competitions for its new Biknin Division.  I was fortunate to be on hand to watch the first Bikini pro qualifier, the 2009 NPC Jr. USA's where Shelsea Montez became the first IFBB Bikini Pro.  Shelsea seemed to epitomise what a bikini competitor should be.  Young, fit, beautiful, and full of energy and sass.  This set the tone for what the new IFBB Bikini Division whould look like.  In the spring of 2010, I was on hand to see the first batch of NPC Bikini competitiors in Alaska and I have to say I was imnpressed.  Three athetes stood out to me as having what it takes to one day enter the IFBB as bikini pros - Robyn Ray, Zlata Sushchik, and Alectra Kelley.  This July, Alectra Kelley traveled to Pittsburgh, PA where she became the 2010 NPC Teen & Collegiate National Bikini Champion.

Born in Anchorage, Alaska in 1992 it's no surprise that the eighteen year old Alectra Kelly works for Abercrombie and Fitch as a model. Having just completed high school, graduating from Anchorage Christian Schools this year, Alectra plans to attend University of Alaska Anchorage this fall.

Alectra's first physique competition was the NPC Last Frontier in April of 2010. "Garry Lodoen, my boyfriend's cousin, basically forced me to do his show in April. I looked horrible compared to everyone else and somehow still got third. I kept it up and just got better each show."

Better indeed, Alectra went on to compete in the 2010 NPC Heart of Alaska, where she earned second place before heading to Pittsburgh to win at the 2010 Teen & Collegiate National Championships.

"I compete because it gives me something to work towards. Seeing the differences after every week and comparing the photos. I love following my diet now (I used to hate it!). It keeps me healthy and I see results faster and better. Competing gives me a constructive goal to work towards - it keeps me focused and out of trouble!"

Alectra plans to make her next competition the IFBB International League's North American Championships, held on September 3rd and 4th in Cleveland, Ohio where she hopes to earn IFBB Professional status. "It's quite a huge goal but I believe, if I stay focused, I can acheive anything."

Alectra Kelley - 2010 NPC Last Frontier

Alectra doesn't have an "official trainer" but says she owes everythig to NPC Promoter Garry Lodoen who takes care of her diet and has gotten her involved in everything she has done so far.

Many people enter into physique competition as a result of being inspired by a well known athlete. In Alectra's case, "Honestly, just because I haven't been involved for long, I don't know about that many people. I love Kat Holmes and Amanda Latona's bodies however I do admire Cinzia Massaro Clapp because she didn't let getting 3rd at the NPC Junior Nationals stop her. She kept training hard and, at her next show, she won."

Just as for everyone, Alectra finds contest prep has it's challenges and it's rewards, "The last two weeks I start to hate the food but you just have to push through it and remember what your goal is. If you really want it, you'll get it! The last couple of days doing my water depletion is so hard and all you want to do is drink water but the results of not giving in for me personally made all the differance."

Alectra Kelley - 2010 NPC Heart of Alaska

The NPC Teen & Collegiate National Championships were quite the experience for ths young Alaska athlete. "At first I was extremely nervous. I mean it was Nationals and only my 3rd competition! All the girls said it was their 7th and 5th and it made me so intimidated but I just walked out on stage like I owned it and those judges were only there to watch me and I did amazing. Seeing so many men and women who have worked so hard for this, it was much more intense than a state show - I loved it!"

Alectra, like all athletes, had her support crew who helped her to get to where she is. "Gary Lodoen, my grandparents, who were the reason I got to go to Pittsburgh, my boyfriend Ryan Holzmueller, he pushed me to workout everyday, he came with me and he even attempted to do my diet with me."

Interview by Shawn Clapp - Editor in Chief

I got a chance to check out Alaska NPC Body Builder and NPC Judge Leo Padua when he and his wife, Ruth, stopped by CMC Personal Training Studio for some posing and photos prior to heading down to the NPC Washington State Body Building Championships in Auburn, Washington.  I have to say, I was impressed and I knew we had at least a class winner, if not an overall champion, heading south to represent Alaska.

When Leo let us all know he had won his class and was heading to the overall, it was no surprise.  The overall was close, and Leo ended up having to settle for the title of 2010 NPC Washington State Middle Weight Champion, taking second in the overall to Mell Taylor from the Light-Heavies.

Once Leo came home to Alaska, I had the privilege of running a few questions by him and to learn a little bit more about this first class athlete.

I was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut and in 1989 I came to Alaska with my brother and sister.

Age can be a limiting factor in this sport, but more and more frequently, we are seeing some older folks making an impact, how old are you?

I Just turned 36 not to long ago.

What’s your day job?

I currently work for FedEx and I am also a personal trainer and nutritionist.

When and where was your first body building competition?

How funny that you ask, because my first show was in 1994 when I won 3 consecutive shows in 3 days.  First was the Mr. West at my high school on a Friday in which I won first place in the open class and first place in the overall.  Then on Saturday I won the All High School were all the high schools kids in Alaska got together and competed, there I won the open class and overall. That Sunday I entered the Elmendorf spring classic and got first in my weight class and almost won the overall title. I thought that was amazing to be able to win 3 shows in 3 days.

Pretty amazing indeed.  Obviously you were cut out for the sport of body building.  What got you interested in body building?

Growing up as a kid a would always look at the bodybuilding magazines and tell myself that someday I would be just like those buff guys that were strutting their physiques in those magazines.  In 1992, I joined Gold's Gym and started training with weights and forget it!  I was hooked from that point on.  One day the owners of the gym, Lindsay Knight and Big John, approached me and told me that I had what it takes to compete at a bodybuilding show and that I would do very good at a bodybuilding show, so therefore, it was on from that point.

I’d have to say that they were correct.  When was your last competition, other than the Washington State? 

Previous to the Washington State, I competed at the Musclemania in Hollywood California in which was a good learning experience for me.  It enabled me to push myself to a higher level of expectation, which in return allowed me to come in first place in my weight class and second overall, coming in at the Washington State in excellent shape.

That is an important point that is sometimes lost on people.  Body building is all about identifying areas where you need improvement and then working on them.  The best way to do that is to put yourself up against a quality group of athletes like those that can be found at Musclemania, or even the NPC Emerald Cup.  What does body building mean to you? In other words, why do you compete?

Bodybuilding is my way of expressing my determination through the way I change my physique with consistency, perseverance and dedication in order to achieve an expected outcome.  With positive criticism in competitions, I hold myself, each time, at a higher level of expectations and it pushes me to set a higher goal each time.

What are your future plans with regard to body building?

I want to obtain several NPC titles and be well known so I can help other people achieve their goals. My plan for next year is to do the NPC Los Angeles and NPC USA's in Las Vegas. For me Bodybuilding is a stepping stone for more things to come for myself and family. I want to be a  renown athlete to where I can be a positive influence and show others that it is possible to achieve a beautiful, healthy physique.

I find that a common sentiment among body builders – that is, a strong desire to spread the gospel of the body building lifestyle and to introduce others to its life-changing power.  This is why many people become trainers.  Tell me a little about your trainer.

I feel that I have the best trainer that the industry can offer, his name is Sean Calder. He brings out the best in others and helps them achieve their true potential.  Mr Calder has won numerous NPC titles. He guided me as a nutritionist, trainer and friend.

Speaking of improving, what body part(s) would you most like to improve?

For my next show, I would like to improve  my lower lats, bring my hamstring out more and focus on my biceps peak.

What well known body builder most inspires you?

One bodybuilder that inspired me is Kevin Levrone because of his many talents. He is a body builder and artist. He had his rock band, to where he wrote, played the guitar and sang his own music.  What ambition & Dedication!!

What about contest prep do you find the most challenging?

What I find most challenging about contest prep is dealing with all the different obstacles around me such as family, work, and of course meal prep.

I think that is what tends to be most challenging about fitness in general.  What about contest prep do you find the most rewarding?

It would be the fact that I can practice discipline and I can see my body change in a profound way by getting leaner and noticing results.

That’s a common theme I find amongst athletes, they relish in the structure and discipline that training brings to their lives.  Anyone in particular that you would like to thank?

First and for most I would like to thank GOD, secondly I would like to thank my wife who supported me throughout my moodiness and helping me out in the kitchen.  Lastly, thanks to my friends because without them this bodybuilding endeavor wouldn't be possible.

Alaska Muscle is provided as a resource for Alaska physique athletes who belong to the NPC.  Alaska Muscle is not an official entity of the NPC and it does not represent the NPC in any way.  Views and opinions expressed by Alaska Muscle writers, editors, and members do not represent those of the NPC.

The National Physique Committee (NPC) is the official controlling amateur body building, fitness, figure and bikini organization in the United States - recognized by the International Federation of Body Building and Fitness (IFBB).  The NPC is the only path to professional status in the IFBB. 

There are many other body building organizations in the U.S. but none are as large as the NPC and none offer the ability to earn professional status in the IFBB.