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Bodybuilding - A few tips from the Mr Olympia contest |26 October 2019

Bodybuilding - A few tips from the Mr Olympia contest

Mr Etienne with the legendary Dorian Yates

It is the dream of every sports fanatic to attend the highest event in their respective beloved discipline, be it the Football World Cup, the NBA Playoffs, or even a tennis Grand Slam.

For bodybuilding and physique enthusiast Michael Etienne, his dream came true recently when he attended the Mr Olympia 2019, held in Las Vegas.

This year’s competition was won by Brandon Curry, a former Hunters Lane and Middle Tennessee State football player.

Other than the fun part of the event, Mr Etienne who has been actively involved in the sport locally, felt that there are some crucial elements of the Mr Olympia that if adopted locally will surely help to propel the sport forward.

In 2013, Mr Etienne was a key member of the caretaking committee which was set up to remedy the fiasco after the Seychelles Bodybuilding Association (SBBA) affiliated to the International Federation of Body Building and Fitness (IFBB) and the Seychelles Bodybuilding and Physique Sports Federation (SBPF) which is a member of the World Bodybuilding and Physique Sports Federation (WBPSF) – a break-away organisation from the IFBB – were in conflict, thus preventing the local competitions to take place, including the Mr Seychelles contest.

“Such incident should have never happened and must never happen again for the benefit of local athletes, especially in a small country like Seychelles,” noted Mr Etienne.

He explained that attending the Mr Olympia was like being in an educational session, meeting gym owners, nutritionist and other personnel involved in the sport.

Counterfeit supplements is a subject that he learned quite a bit about and was even surprised to see the gravity of the business as well as the negative effect it brings to the sport.

This, he said, is something that local athletes should research and think well about before starting using supplements.

Owner of the Tropical Heat Gym in Victoria, Mr Etienne said despite not being involved in the decision making of the sport, he feels that he should always share his knowledge and experience to the locals.

He noted that being in the company of legends, such as Kenneth "Flex" Wheeler, Dorian Yates and Jason "Jay" Cutler, other than gave him the opportunity to learn from them, was also a chance to promote the country which could be in turn beneficial to the sport locally.

“Introducing Seychelles to these people is a good thing as they can come, not only as tourists, but also to host seminars from which our local athletes, gym owners, nutritionists and all those involved can benefit,” added Mr Etienne.

The unity within the professional community is another thing that caught his attention.

Mr Etienne explained that despite being rivals on the stage, the professional athletes mingled with each other very well during the whole event.

Something which he said is lacking on the local scene.

“The rivalry between athletes and owners of different gyms in the country is a sad and negative situation which is not necessary and will not bring any progress,” he noted.

He further added that the culture of unity in the sport should be inculcated in the mind of the young generation of athletes as it is a must, if we want to move forward.

“My wish is for those people who create such conflicts to come to their senses and breathe in some more positivity, instead of the existing negativity which blocks their vision, thus bringing a negative impact to the sport,” he added.

“The sport is a very fragile one and if we do not protect and defend it, soon it will disappear,” further added Mr Etienne.

In that line, he used the example of the first ever fitness, or physique competition which he hosted under the umbrella of the Tropical Heat gym some years ago.

He explained that some people who did not have that concept in mind were kind of against the idea, which is now a main feature in all local competitions.

“I do not want credit for that, but it is just to show that I follow the sport and I keep myself abreast of all the new developments,” he explained.

“It is clear that the physique part has taken control over bodybuilding in all local competitions,” further added Mr Etienne, who noted that he is happy he shared a message to the local scene.

Another point that Mr Etienne noted is the lack of motivation on the part of local athletes to move forward on their own.

He explained those who succeeded have been pushing forward on their own, since day one, despite being in conflict with the authority.

He added that with all the openings nowadays, it is easier than before for them to get a breakthrough.

With that said he encouraged other athletes to stop relying on the authority and instead try to find their own way forward.

Being known for his ability in leading an executive committee and bringing athletes together, Mr Etienne said the mind set of those involved should definitely change if he is to come back in the limelight.

“It should be a committed committee which will promote the sport both on and off the stage,” he explained.

He further explained that bodybuilders are ambassadors of the sport and they should behave in a positive way and be role models.

“Both athletes and committee members should be prepared mentally and physically. I want to help, but not in that kind of environment,” he also noted.

Mr Olympia is the title awarded to the winner of the professional men's bodybuilding contest at Joe Weider's Olympia Fitness & Performance Weekend –an international bodybuilding competition that is held annually by the IFBB.

Joe Weider created the contest to enable the Mr Universe winners to continue competing and to earn money. The first Mr Olympia was held on September 18, 1965, at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, New York City, with Larry Scott winning his first of two straight titles.

The record number of wins is eight each by Lee Haney (1984–1991) and Ronnie Coleman (1998–2005). Brandon Curry currently holds the title.

There is also a female bodybuilder crowned, Ms Olympia, as well as winners of Fitness Olympia and Figure Olympia for fitness and figure competitors. All four contests occur during the same weekend. From 1994 to 2003, and again in 2012, a Masters Olympia was also crowned.

Starting in 2016, a new division called Classic Physique was introduced.

 

 

 

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