ALL PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF ISAAC HINDS

FIGURE INTERNATIONAL – ONE-PIECE SWIMSUIT

 
Monica Brant (USA) – 7th

 
Monica Mark-Escalante (USA) – 11th

 
Felicia Romero (USA) – 5th

 
Mindi Smith (USA) – 4th

 
Kim Tilden (USA) – 15th

 
Sherlyn Roy (USA) – 17th

 
Alicia Harris (USA) – 18th

 
Latisha Wilder (USA) – 12th

 
Larissa Reis (Brazil) – 6th

 
Krissy Chin (USA) – 15th

 
Christiana Casoni (Italy) – 14th

 
Erin Stern (USA) – 2nd

 
Andrea Watson (USA) – 9th

 
Nicole Wilkins-Lee (USA) – 1st

 
Kristina Tauti (USA) – 8th

 
Angela Mraz (USA) – 19th

 
Heather Mae French (USA) – 3rd

 
Candice Houston (USA) – 13th

 
Rosa Maria Romero (Australia) – 10th

IFBBPRO.com introduces Australia Pro promoter
Tony Doherty

Tony Doherty is promoting the 10th edition of the Australia Pro Grand Prix this weekend [March 13, 2010] in Melbourne.  Check out the line-up here …

Tony was born November 23, 1964 in Melbourne, Australia where he currently resides.  Tony is married to Amanda Doherty (former IFBB Pro Fitness competitor).  Tony and Amanda have 4 children: Jesse (8), Florence (6), Adelaide (2) and Emerald (8 months).

Tony is owner/operator of Doherty's Gyms, 24-hour bodybuilding gyms in 3 locations around Melbourne. Tony is also a professional Master of Ceremonies and Trainer.  As well, Tony is host of the very popular weekly Max's Muscle TV program on Fox.   Tony promotes NPFC/IFBB amateur competitions in the State of Victoria and IFBB Pro League events in Australia.

IFBBPRO.com: How did you get involved in promoting IFBB/IFBB Pro League events?
Tony: I started out as a competitor and became interested in promoting shows.  At age 23, I started working with Paul and Carole Graham in 1988 and have been the Victorian State director ever since.  I have promoted over 60 amateur shows and this year will be the 10th pro show.

Editor's Note: [Paul Graham is IFBB Vice President for Australasia and the South Pacific and Carole Graham is Secretary of the IFBB Judges Committee]

I emcee most shows in Australia.  In 1988 I was MC at the IFBB Men's World Amateur Bodybuilding Championships in Queensland, Australia.  In 1991, I was MC at the IFBB Niagara Falls Pro and IFBB Night of Champions.

I decided to promote IFBB Pro shows after travelling extensively with my wife Amanda, my best friend Sonny Schmidt and other Australian pros and thinking that shows could be more entertaining.  I believe that we treat our athletes, officials, supporters and fans very well, which explains why we get great line-ups every year.

IFBBPRO.com: Who helped you get into the business of promoting IFBB/IFBB Pro League events?
Tony: The biggest influence in my life as a promoter has been Paul Graham who gave me an opportunity when I was very young; he has always showed me the way and has been a huge influence in my professional life.

IFBBPRO.com: It appears you lead a very hectic life.  What do you do during your leisure time and do you have any hobbies or outside interests?
Tony: Outside of promoting and running our 3 gyms, which is a 12-hour-a-day, 6-day-a-week commitment, I try to spend as much "off-duty" time as I can with Amanda and the kids.  I like eating out at restaurants, driving around our beautiful country, holidays and fun weekends, all of which keeps me pretty busy and happy.

My hobbies are custom motorcycles and old cars. I ride a custom chopper and have a couple of older Harley Davidsons that I ride every chance I get.

IFBBPRO.com: How do you see the current state of bodybuilding?
Tony: In one word, "exciting".  At both the amateur and IFBB Pro level, there are great competitors emerging onto the scene every year, as well as more contests and opportunities than ever before.

IFBBPRO.com: Tony, thanks for taking the time to talk to us and best of luck with the show.
Tony: Thank you for the opportunity.

ALL PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF ISAAC HINDS

Dexter Jackson (USA) – 4th

Phil Heath (USA) – 2nd

Johnnie Jackson (USA) – 12th

Sergey Shelestov (Russia) – 13th

Kai Greene (USA) – 1st

Ronny Rockel (Germany) – 6th

Robert Piotrkowicz (Poland) – 10th

Tarek Elsetouhi (Germany) – 11th

Hidetada Yamagishi (Japan) – 8th

Melvin Anthony (USA) – 9th

Branch Warren (USA) – 3rd

Roelly Winklaar (Netherlands) – 7th

Toney Freeman (USA) – 5th

Adela Garcia (USA) – 2010 Fitness International

Nicole Wilkins-Lee (USA) – Figure International

Jim Lorimer Promoter ARNOLD SPORTS FESTIVAL

 James "Jim" J. Lorimer
Promoter,
Arnold Sports Festival

Compiled by Tony Blinn
*All photographs courtesy of Jim Lorimer except where otherwise noted

Jim Lorimer was born on October 7, 1926 in Bristol, Pennsylvania, USA.  In 1949, Jim married Martha Jean Whittaker. They have 3 children and 4 grandchildren.

"When I was 13 years old, I wrote to FBI director J. Edgar Hoover and asked for advice on becoming an agent.  Mr. Hoover's response was that I should first become an attorney or an accountant."

Following service in the U.S. Navy at the end of World War II, Jim took J. Edgar Hoover's advice to heart.  In 1949, Jim graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Ursinus College (Collegeville, PA).  Then, in 1951, Jim earned a Bachelor of Law degree from the Penn State Dickinson School of Law [Pennsylvania's oldest law school].

True to his dream, at 25 years old, Jim became a Special Agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and, from 1951 to 1954, served with distinction in this world-renowned law enforcement, intelligence and investigative agency.  In 1954, Jim joined Nationwide Insurance Company, one of the largest insurance and financial services companies in the world.   In 1972, Jim earned his Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) professional designation and, by 1979, has risen through the ranks of Nationwide to become Vice President of Government Relations where he worked until 1991.

As Jim fondly recalls, "While with Nationwide, my responsibilities included acting as liaison with many different state and federal legislative and regulatory agencies and maintaining grassroots programs.  One such program – one of the highlights of my career with Nationwide – was the founding of their corporate fitness program which I directed for 15 years."

This was by no means Jim's first foray into the field of sport.

Says Jim, "Sport is life in a microcosm – sport teaches you to prepare, train, compete, win and lose."  Jim should know.  In high school, he lettered in four sports, captained the football team and led the student council.  What he never imagined was that his growing passion for sport would eventually lead him to partner with Arnold Schwarzenegger for more than three decades in creating what has become the largest multi-sport festival in America.

Jim's journey to sport promotion actually began in the late '50s.  In what would become a watershed moment in his life, Jim recalls being intrigued with an international track and field meet between the United States and the Soviet Union, held in Philadelphia in the summer of 1959.  "I knew that the Soviets had undertaken a national sports development program with the intention of demonstrating the superiority of their program and society."

"The Soviets declared victory by combining the men's and women's scores," Jim explains. "The U.S. men's team won, but our women's team did not perform well."  Jim felt strongly that the women were not properly prepared for international competition and that, given the opportunity and the right training; he believed American athletes, men and women, could be the best in the world in any sport.  Jim decided then and there to take action.

Jim Lorimer doing what he loves best … getting ready to greet the competitors  at the Athlete's Meeting of the Arnold Classic, Ms. International, Fitness International, and Figure International. *photo by JM Manion

Jim immediately proposed to the Columbus Recreation Department that a four-year Olympic development program be implemented to train top female athletes.  He then convinced Ohio State University to allow women to train at their indoor track.  Under Jim's leadership and coaching, the Ohio Track Club Girl's Team won the National Championships in 1961.

That summer, Jim was appointed Secretary of the U.S. Olympic Committee for Women's Athletics.  In 1964, Jim was selected Chairman of the U.S. Olympic Committee and served in that capacity through 1968.  However, this was only the beginning as Jim's work in the sport promotion field had only just begun.

In 1967, Jim was asked to run the National Weightlifting Championships and Mr. America contest in Columbus, Ohio.  As a result of the success at this event, Jim was then asked to chair the World Weightlifting Championships and Mr. World contest in Columbus in 1970.  He invited the top six bodybuilders in the world – including a young Austrian by the name of Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Peter McGough, then Group Editorial Director of Muscle & Fitness and FLEX magazines, stated in his article "The Classic Act", "For both, it was a milestone event in many ways. That Mr. World contest was the first time that Arnold beat Sergio Oliva, who was then the reigning Mr. Olympia. Looking back, Arnold says, 'Winning the Mr. World changed the signal that had been hard to change – the signal that said Sergio cannot be beaten.' From that platform, Arnold beat Sergio a few weeks later and became Mr. Olympia. But one suspects Arnold's friendship with Jim, which began at that event, has become, over the years, more precious to Arnold than any trophy he ever won. The duo will tell you they felt an immediate empathy and connection at that first meeting. They agreed that once Arnold finished competing, they would join forces to promote bodybuilding shows."

After winning in Columbus, Schwarzenegger told Jim. "This is the best contest I've ever been in," and committed to help him create what would later become the Arnold Sports Festival.  To manage this event, Jim leads four full-time staff, 600 volunteers including a medical staff of 150 doctors and nurses, and 30 committees.  The 2009 version will feature 37 events including 12 Olympic sports and will welcome more than 170,000 visitors and 17,000 athletes to four Columbus venues. [Editor's note: the 2010 version boasts 44 sports and events, including 12 Olympic sports, and 18,000 athletes!]

Peter McGough continues in his article, "Now [in 2008], the name of the weekend has been changed to the Arnold Sports Festival, which the duo feels better suits the all-encompassing nature of this world-class celebration of sport and fitness. In discussing the sports festival's success, Arnold acknowledges that, although it would be nice to take credit for the growth and spectacular success of the event, the recognition and acclaim for organizing this massive operation belongs to one man: Jim Lorimer. 'Jim is a man of great vision, principle and loyalty,' Arnold says. 'Throughout our years together, we have continually operated on a simple handshake agreement: no contract has been necessary and our steadfast faith in each other will continue,' 'Nuff said."

Jim Lorimer with partner Arnold Schwarzenegger at the 1998 Arnold Classic

The growth and popularity of the Arnold Classic and Ms. International, both professional bodybuilding competitions that debuted in 1989, led to the addition of the Arnold Fitness EXPO in 1993; the Fitness International in 1997; and the Figure International in 2003.

With the addition of more events, such as the 5k Pump and Run, Active Aging, Arm Wrestling, Archery, Bench Press, Boxing, Cheerleading and Dance Team, Cycling, Dance Sport, Fencing, Grappling, Gymnastics, Martial Arts, Powerlifting, Strongman, Strength Summit, Table Tennis, Weightlifting and Wrestling, the Arnold Sports Festival has become the largest multi-sports fitness celebration in the U.S.A.. Every year the event, which now encompasses a three-day weekend, gets bigger. In 2008, an IFBB international amateur flare was added that saw the world's elite amateur bodybuilders, fitness and figure athletes competing on the Arnold Classic stage. [Editor's note: this event in 2010 has attracted entries from 46 countries.  Between the amateur and professional events, there are some 500 competitors!]

Apart from sport, Jim is also highly involved in his community.  In the 1960s, Jim was named "Man of the Year" in Worthington, Ohio, a suburb of Columbus.  He was also named one of the "Top Ten Men of the Year" in Columbus; one of the "Top Three Physical Fitness Leaders" in the United States.  Jim served as a member of the American Bar Association.  He was Mayor of Worthington from 1967 to 1979, Vice Mayor from 1980 to 1995, and Mayor from 1996 to the present.

In 1998, Jim was the proud recipient of the "Greater Columbus Hospitality Award" for his role in bringing international recognition and economic contributions to Columbus with the Arnold Sports Festival.

Jim is a Certified Personal Trainer by the National Academy of Sports Medicine.  During the administration of President George H. W. Bush, Jim served on the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports.

In 2002, Jim received the "Arnold Schwarzenegger Classic Lifetime Achievement Award" for his contributions to sports, his community and his nation.  Iron Man Magazine presented its "Lifetime Achievement Award" to Jim in 2005.

Jim has been active in the IFBB for over 30 years.  In 1976, at the IFBB International Congress meeting in Montreal, Canada, Jim was part of the first official meeting of the newly formed IFBB Professional Committee, along with Arnold Schwarzenegger (Chair), John Balik (USA), Boyer Coe (USA) and other key officials from around the world.  Jim still serves today as an invaluable member of this committee.

Said the late IFBB Professional League President Ben Weider, "I have known Jim Lorimer since 1976 and his involvement with the IFBB at that time played a key and very important role in the development of bodybuilding in the U.S.A. This is the 20th year [referring to the 2008 anniversary year] that Jim is organizing the Arnold Classic and I commend him on his leadership and promotional skills, which are unparalleled.

Our relationship has always been one of mutual respect, based on our love of sport in general, our passion for bodybuilding and fitness in particular, and our belief that a healthy and fit lifestyle is of great importance to everyone, especially our nation's youth. "

Jim lists his hobbies as "reading and working out"; his favorite books as "anything related to Shakespeare and linguistics"; his favorite movies as "all James Bond films"; his one-word description of himself as "joyful"; and his words to live by as "do unto others as you would have them do unto you."

Success to Jim Lorimer is living a full and contributing life, and sharing love on that journey with family and friends. He advises others to find what they love doing, without regard to financial considerations.  Says Jim, "Arnold would agree that to be successful, you must set goals and follow your dream."

Jim Lorimer certainly has done just that … and much more!

Editor's note: Jim attended the IFBB International Congress annual general meeting on November 7, 2009 in Doha, Qatar at which the 75 countries in attendance unanimously approved his nomination as IFBB Patron.

On Saturday, February 20th, the 2010 IFBB Professional League season kicks off with the Phoenix Pro, with competition taking place in Men's and Women's Open Bodybuilding, Men's 202-lb and under Bodybuilding, and Women's Fitness and Figure.

The man behind this inaugural Phoenix Pro event is competitor, judge and promoter Stryker Salman.

Stryker was born on May 17th, 1968 in the Republic of Liberia, West Africa and currently resides in Mesa, Arizona, USA.  Stryker has a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration.

Stryker promotes NPC and IFBB Professional League events; most recently the 2010 NPC Desert Muscle Classic Bodybuilding Show that was held in Tucson, Arizona on February 6th.

IFBBPRO.com: How did you become involved in Bodybuilding and Fitness?

Stryker: At the young age of 14, I was invited by a group of friends to work out at a local gym.  Quietly, I sat back and watched as my friends unsuccessfully tried to bench press 135 pounds.  When it was my turn, I began repping the weight, much to the amazement of my friends.  They were envious and abandoned me at the gym, leaving me to walk ten miles back home.  That walk was one of victory and enlightenment.  I had discovered a new-found passion!

IFBBPRO.com: What is your involvement with the NPC (National Physique Committee of the USA)?

Stryker: I've been an NPC judge for 3 years and an NPC head judge for 2 years.  I'm also an NPC competitor.

IFBBPRO.com: Why did you decide to become a promoter?

Stryker: I became a promoter because of my passion as a competitive bodybuilder and for the love of the sport of Bodybuilding and Fitness.  Working with the NPC and IFBB Professional League, I wanted to play a more active role in elevating the image of our sport and ensuring our athletes are represented with the highest level of integrity.  My goal is to introduce the sport of Bodybuilding and Fitness to new audiences; to get them excited about what we do; and to encourage the general public to adopt a healthy and fit lifestyle.

IFBBPRO.com: Who inspires you to work towards and achieve this goal?

Stryker: Some of the outstanding people that inspire me are Jay Cutler, Ahmad Haidar and Troy Alves.  Jim Manion, NPC President and Chairman of the IFBB Professional League, is my mentor.

IFBBPRO.com: Are you engaged in any activities outside of sport?  What do you do with your leisure time?

Stryker:  I wish I had leisure time!  I'm always busy either getting ready to compete, promoting StrykerX or working in the community meeting people.

IFBBPRO.com:  How do you see the sport; past, present and future?

Stryker:  In the past, I believe we lacked adequate medical and scientific knowledge in our sport.  Now, we have been blessed with so much fantastic information, it makes the future of Bodybuilding and Fitness that much brighter.

IFBBPRO.com: Best of luck with the Phoenix Pro this weekend!

CLICK THE BANNER BELOW AND VISIT WWW.STRYKERX.COM.

CLICK ON THE PHOTOGRAPH BELOW TO START YOUR JOURNEY INTO THE PAST.

Ben Weider [1923-2008]
Founder, IFBB & IFBB Professional League

Visit the HALL OF FAME section of IFBBPRO.com
and learn about the bodybuilding stars of the past and present.

CLICK ON THE LOGO BELOW TO SEE EACH OF THE 71 INDUCTEES.

In honour of Ben Weider [1923-2008]
Founder, IFBB & IFBB Professional League

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