WNBF OFFICIAL WORLD REPORT

November 12, 2011

By Fred DiMenna

The World Natural Bodybuilding Federation has stood as the premier professional drug-free bodybuilding organization since its inception in 1989. In addition to awarding well over one million dollars in prize money over 22 years, the organization also spawned an amateur affiliate in 2000 and the International Natural Bodybuilding Federation continues to serve as a feeder system providing quality athletes that earn WNBF pro cards at its major events. However, recent changes in the infrastructure of these organizations have left questions regarding their status and, specifically, whether they will continue to provide a competitive arena for athletes who want to compete in legitimate drug-tested events.

It is difficult to predict what the future holds, but if the present is any indication, the organization is at least as strong as ever. On November 12, 2011, the WNBF hosted its 21st annual Pro Natural World Championships in conjunction with the INBF Amateur World Championships at the Martin Luther King Campus in Manhattan, N.Y. and a record number of competitors turned out: No less than 254 competing in 25 different classes. Furthermore, ten foreign affiliate organizations were represented including teams from the United Kingdom, Italy, Australia, Germany, Canada and Switzerland. Pro divisions included Mens Bodybuilding (three weight classes), Womens Bodybuilding (two weight classes), Ms. Exercise (two classes divided according to height) and Ms. Fit Body. Prize money totaled $24,700. The amateur competition included Best Body bikini (two height classes), Figure (two height classes), Ms. Fit Body (two height classes) and Bodybuilding divisions for the women and Mens Open Bodybuilding that was divided into five weight classes. Teen and four Masters (40-45, 45-60, 60-70 and 70+) titles were also contested.

The 2011 Worlds were dominated by athletes from foreign turf. British heavyweight Richard Gozdecki claimed the Pro Mens title (and $6000) defeating lightweight Lenardo Casagrande (Italy) and middleweight Shevon Cunningham (U.S.). Gozdecki used his mass to dominate the overall posedown, but his path to victory in the Heavyweight class was much less conclusive: He bested last year’s World champ Martin Daniels by a single point. The light and middleweight winners were more clear cut despite there being many quality competitors in each of their classes. For example, previous World champ Brandon Greenwood (U.K.) could only manage third in the Middleweights with the very inspiring Greg Rando (U.S.) taking second. Anthony Langevin (U.S.) and Enzo Nardino (Italy) claimed second and third in the Lightweights, respectively.

The overall Pro Womens title will also reside across the pond for the next year as Cheryl Myers (U.K.) won the Heavyweight class and took the overall crown by defeating lightweight Brenda Rahe (U.S.). Both Cheryl and Brenda had achieved victories at the Worlds in the past. Another former World champion and WNBF legend Kathy Unger (U.S.) could only manage fourth in the Heavyweights despite being in top condition. This serves as a testament to the quality of female athletes that were present. The Pro Ms. Exercise Figure title was claimed by Karen Monetti (nee Walsh; U.S.), who continued her triumphant return to the stage after an extended hiatus. Karen took home $2000 by handily winning the Short class (unanimous first-place votes) and then besting Nicole Markos (U.S.) in the overall comparisons. The Pro Ms. Fit Body title was also claimed via unanimous decision with Tracey Rabbitt (U.S.) garnering the $1000 top prize.

With coveted WNBF pro cards on the line, the amateur classes were also hotly contested. The Best Body Bikini titles were won by Angelina Mullins (U.S.; Short) and Donna Kratz (U.S.; Tall), Sally Allgaier (U.S.) and Vicky Canavan (Australia) took the Open Figure Short and Tall classes, respectively, and Natasha Knoll (Australia) and Nadia Robertson (Australia) won the Short and Tall Ms. Fit Body divisions. Interestingly, of the 18 competitors in Ms. Fit Body, 12 called Australia home. In amateur bodybuilding, 18-year-old Tayarr Foust (U.S.) won the Teen division while Martin Portner (Switzerland) claimed the Masters title in a 40-45 year division that included nine competitors from six different countries. Peter Clark (U.K.) took the 45-60 Masters title while Americans Lance Downer and Ed Cole awed the crowd by showing that age does not discriminate in drug-free bodybuilding. They brought home the 60-70 and 70+ titles, respectively. Finally, Open bodybuilding titles and pro cards were won by Anna Millington (Womens; U.K.), Andrew Roberts (Mens Bantamweight; Australia), Eric Seyfried (Mens Lightweight; U.S.), Levi Burge (Mens Middleweight; U.S.), John Heaton (Mens Light Heavyweight; U.K.) and Evan Godbee (Mens Heavyweight; Australia).