2016 Iron Eagle Wrap Up
The 2016 Iron Eagle Pro/Am
By Rodney “Gunz” Helaire
The 2016 Iron Eagle Pro/Am was held in Savannah Georgia on Saturday March 26.
I was so humbled and honored to be able to host one of the largest natural shows in the southeast which I’m excited to say continues to grow annually. This year over 100 competitors took to the stage in Savannah, and 30 of which among the WNBF pro ranks. The three day athlete check-ins and registration process began on the Wednesday before the show. Our highly trained polygraph examiners do an incredible job each year ensuring all athletes comply with WNBF drug testing guidelines and are 100% drug free! Friday evening’s competitor meeting is always a mandatory one as we discuss specific division meeting times, code of conduct for all athletes, reminders about mandatory urine analysis testing, etc. prior to Saturday’s pre-judge.
For both prejudge and the evening finals the auditorium at New Hampstead Performing Arts Center was filled with family, friends, and bodybuilding enthusiasts near standing room only capacity. In the morning Pro figure competitors 13 in all stepped on stage to launch this years Iron Eagle! Anna Felz in her WNBF Pro debut clinched the 1st place position and $1,000 in the figure short class. In the 2nd place position and awarded $700.00 was Tonda Barber, and rounding off the top 3 was Rashida Marshall earning a check for $500. In the Figure tall class Sherrie Bingham was seized 1st prize as well as the overall bumping her winnings to $1500.00. In 2nd place and $700.00 went to Stephanie Cain in her WNBF Pro debut. In the 3rd position and $500.00 was Amy Abbott.
Next up WNBF Pro Women’s Bodybuilding. This was an incredible line up of beautiful women. In the first slot was Kristin Fonseca who was sliced from top to bottom, and in second was Sunnie CarMichael which happened to be her pro debut. In 3rd place was Tracey Creed. The next lineup to hit the stage were the pro men when all said and done seeing 1st place and $1250.00 going to Eric White , 2nd place and $750.00 going to Javonte Ashford and 3rd and $500.00 going to Anthony Collier.
On the amateur side 6 new WNBF pros were crowned. Melissa Andrews 1st and overall figure champion, Jamie Hill 1st and overall men’s master bodybuilding champion, Damaris Perez 1st overall Fit Body champion. In men physique 1st place and overall champion was Austin Abad. The open bikini 1st placing and overall champion was Alla Vasylyga. The open mens overall bodybuilding award went to Alex Fowler who blew the competition and judges away with the most complete muscular and symmetrical physique in the entire event.
I would like to take the opportunity to thank all who attended the event in Savannah, as well as all of the incredible athletes, sponsors, and support staff who helped make this event possible. What an incredible Iron Eagle it truly was this year! Bring on 2017 we are soooooo ready!
~Rodney Helaire
Iron Eagle Promoter
WNBF Professional