BY BILL PHILLIPS
They are both ready to go.
They have both been training for months and in just two weeks they will put that training to test. Early next month Prince George athletes Kendall Kershaw and John Brink will be heading off to the Pro-Am Expo body building competition in Vancouver July 8-9.
Kershaw, who is coming off a win in the bikini division of the Empire Classic in Spokane, Washington, is excited about the upcoming Vancouver competition where she will compete in the Bikini Class.
“You bet I’m ready,” said Kershaw during a break in training at X-Conditioning Thursday. “Being able to go to a show of this calibre is going to be very exciting on its own, but I get to pump up backstage with the pros so I’m really excited I get to be in front of them.”
Turning pro is on Kershaw’s agenda and the Vancouver Pro-Am Expo is a step along the way for the 20-year-old athlete.
Competing in the bikini division means not getting massively built, as one might expect with bodybuilding, however it does involve building muscle and toning. It also means a lot of training and learning how to pose in a bikini and … six-inch heels. It is challenging, and learning how to breathe properly in order to hold your pose for the judges is as important as toning and building muscles.
Brink, qualified for the competition at last year’s Iron Ore Classic. At 77 years old, he will be competing in the Grand Master Class in body building and Master Class physique. An unfortunate fall off a horse three years ago almost derailed his chance to compete.
“I cracked my rib and hurt my hip,” he said. “But now I’m back into it and ready to go. I’m a little bit nervous but it will be quite an experience.”
The competition is being held at the Pan Pacific in Vancouver. There will be close to 200 athletes and crowds likely to hit 1,000 people.
“We have about six athletes from the North,” said Brink.
Brink will be on the stage Saturday morning and Kershaw on Sunday.
“I’m going to win,” said Brink.
