The standard of bodies on show during Saturday’s Asia Pacific Bodybuilding Championships was what one would expect at any international event.

This is according to head bodybuilding judge Peter Hardwick who has over 40 years experience in the sport.

He says that when Rarotonga was proposed at the venue for the event they had expected around 15 athletes to register but to their surprise – over 60 athletes from New Zealand as well as two from India, one from Pakistan, Samoa, Holland and the Cooks registered for the 4th Asia Pacific region championships.

Hardwick says that every venue has its unique atmosphere and that here it was ‘go with the flow’.

Hardwick was also impressed with sole Cook Islands competitor Aaron Enoka, the son of iconic local bodybuilder the late Felix Enoka.

Hardwick is also hopeful that the sport will continue to develop here in the Cook Islands.

“The people at Top Shape Gym are really keen to get behind the sport,” Hardwick says.

Top Shape Gym presented the show on Saturday at the national auditorium with the assistance of the New Zealand National Amateur Bodybuilding Association.

The day’s event began with a round of pre-judging where athletes score the majority of the points.

During this event, a curious crowd trickled through the national auditorium and for most – it was a new experience for them.

Athletes came out in their various classes where they were asked to strike a number of compulsory poses which presented the various muscle groups at its best.

While some people might think it an easy task to prance around on stage – it looked taxing for the athletes.

The big boys not only pumped up their muscles but also dripped bucket loads of sweat as they went about their routine under the blazing hot lights of the stage.

Plus the athletes were all dehydrated after ‘drying out’ for a few days before the event to better present their muscles to the judges.

And there were some outstanding bodies seen on stage with many spectators struggling to keep their jaws off the ground.

The evening show was a chance for the athletes to not only show their bodies off again but to let their personalities shine through as well as they executed the compulsory poses to their own music.

It was certainly an eye opening experience for all and especially for the crew at the Top Shape Gym who are keen to revive the sport on the island.

Indian athlete Roshan Ferro was crowned 2010 Mr Physique Asia Pacific while Helen Aloia from New Zealand was crowned 2010 Ms Physique Asia Pacific.

Karen Kelly won the Asia Pacific Ms Figure title and Ms Shape went to Teresa Edwards.

Ms Fitness Model was Maeve Agnew and Mr Athletic was Jason Bartley.

More photos, pages 10 and 11.