Bodybuilding: Whanganui's Revitalise gym begins preparations for nationals after strong regional showing

Phaethon Haapu is among 10 members from Revitalise Natural Health and Fitness Centre to qualify for the NABBA Bodybuilding Nationals. Photo / Supplied

The bodybuilding team from Revitalise Natural Health and Fitness Centre is beginning its preparations for nationals after a strong showing at one of its last regional hit-outs.

Five members from the Guyton St gym competed in the NABBA Hawke's Bay Bodybuilding Competition in Hastings last weekend, with the quintet all picking up podium finishes.

After competing in their first show at the Manawatū/Wanganui show in May, Megumi Kusano-Whetton and Chelsey Stratton-Smith stood out once again, taking home Ms Hawke's Bay Figure and Shape respectively.

In the 35-plus age group, Jess Solly repeated her success in May's show, winning first place in the shape category.

Novices Phaethon Haapu and Rhys Ngatuere competed in their first show, with Haapu finishing second in the Tall Athletic category and Ngatuere placing third in the Tall Physique category.

Also representing Whanganui, Darren Faulker took out the open Athletic Short category.

Coach Audrey McCosh said all competitors prepared hard and had been working for months to be able to bring their best package to the stage.

While the results were outstanding for the team, McCosh wanted her students to focus on learning from the experience.

"They are such a young team. This was just about them getting more stage presence. It was just about going through the motions and having fun. They did amazing."

She said they were continuing to improve since their first show in Palmerston North this year.

"Their confidence has tripled. And that is the most important part. Obviously, you have to have the symmetry and the moves, but being in the moment and being confident is key."

With 10 athletes now qualified for the nationals in October, McCosh said she would give her team a week off before they knuckled down to begin preparations.

"Everything is tracking well. We will look to send a few members to a show earlier in the month to get a bit more experience before the big day."