Club hosts annual bodybuilding championship Saturday
Correction appended
Sporting nothing but smiles, Speedos and incredibly deep tans, four men flexed in front of a silent audience in the final minutes of judging.
They, along with six other men and five women, were competing for the titles of Mr. and Miss USC in USC’s Bodybuilding and Fitness Sports Club’s annual bodybuilding championship.
Floodlights shone upon the lean bodies of the competitors, while the judges scrutinized every inch. According to judge and former Miss USC contestant Safiya Johnson, there are a number of things being considered when the contestants are flexing.
“For men’s bodybuilding, we look at symmetry, muscularity and conditioning, or how ripped they are,” she said. “For women’s figure, we look at poise and symmetry, as well as overall fitness.”
When being judged, participants were instructed on how to flex, which way to turn and when to relax their muscles. Each motion was orchestrated so judges could evaluate according to muscle group, with certain flex positions drawing attention to certain parts.
“It’s a completely subjective sport,” Johnson said. “We just compare what shows up that night. It’s not about who’s the most muscular or ripped. They have to the be the whole package.”
According to Johnson, in bodybuilding, there is never really a clear-cut winner because the judging is centered on the opinions of those with the score sheets.
While women’s figure had just one category, men’s bodybuilding hosted two: lightweight, those 165 pounds and under, and heavyweight, those over 165 pounds. The top scorer of both men’s groups would advance to the final round to compete for Mr. USC.
Women’s figure was based solely on presentation, but the men’s competition also called a focus to the personality of those competing.
Each male contestant presented themselves to the tune of their choice. While many opted to flex to the tune of heavy, intimidating beats, others chose to use popular songs such as Macklemore’s hit “Thrift Shop.”
Once the individual routines had finished, it was time for the mandatory poses.
Standing in a single-file line, the judges called out directions until two winners were named: second-year exercise science student Devin Bedenbaugh took first in the heavyweight division, while first-year business student Ryan Finn won lightweight.
After one final flex-off, during which the tension was almost tangible, Finn was selected as the 2013 Mr. USC. Liana Webster, a doctoral physical education student, took home the title of Miss USC, and Jordan Hall, a second-year exercise science student, was named a runner up.
In his first ever bodybuilding competition, Finn said he had worked hard physically in the gym, but there was also a mental aspect to the sport.
“It’s more mental stress than physical,” he said. “You have to plan everything out right so you don’t over-train.”
In all of the excitement, Finn’s crowning moment was a whirlwind of cheers and flashes as admirers took pictures and chanted his name.
“I don’t even hardly remember [winning]. It just happened,” he said. “But it was all worth it. It was definitely all worth it.”
Correction: An earlier version of this article did not name the winner and runner up in the Miss USC competition. The Daily Gamecock regrets the omission.