Natural USA Contest results and summary!!
October 27, 2009 by Ryan Irwin
After 17 weeks of dieting (since the beginning of July), my precontest preparations for the NANBF Natural USA finally got me to the day of the event! Below are details of the day and pictures, but to save you time, I ended up WINNING MY CLASS AND EARNING MY PRO CARD!!!
My wife, kids and I packed up the car and left Friday morning for IL. Got there around 4:30 and got right in after eating my afternoon meal of oatmeal and Elite 12 protein to take my polygraph (lie detector test) for banned substances (steroids, Rx diuretics, GH, prohormones, etc). After that, we got checked into the hotel and I went back to get my first spray tan application, then took my urine test. After all that, headed back and tried to get some sleep.
Of course woke up at 3 AM and couldn’t go back to sleep, so began my contest day preparations, got my food lined up and stuff packed. We got there at 7:30, had the competitors meeting and then prejudging started at 9:30. There was a great turnout, especially for bodybuilders! In the USA, there were 4 classes of men. Figure numbers were down a bit, so those of you in figure, look at this show for next year!
My class was going on around noon. There were 5 individuals in my class and since you had to place in the top 5 in a regional show to compete at the USA, all 5 were tough competition! One of them I had competed with at this same show 2 years prior where he placed ahead of me. As a competitor, you can’t get psyched out and worry about the others in your class. You need to go onstage, pose like you own it and let the judges make the decisions.
That is what I did. Went out there and nailed my posing!! Those posing sessions paid off as everyone said I looked very polished and not fatigued. The judges moved us around and I ended up in the middle for a while, which is always a good feeling. Towards the end, I got put on an end, but by that point I felt they were looking for other placements.
Long story short, went back to the hotel after prejudging, crashed and got regrouped for finals. Had people come up and tell me I looked great and that they thought it was mine, but I never let that get into my head as the judges look at everything and I don’t want to get over confident or set myself up for disappointment.
At about 10:00, they called our class up and I nailed my posing routine to the tune of Mortal Kombat (thanks to Joe Richards from Songsmythe Productions for cutting my music!) After the rest of the class did their routines, they called us out. Standing in the line up I was mentally ready to hear my name anywhere from 4th on up and just kept reminding myself that I looked my best ever (hit 4.5% bodyfat), which is always the goal (improving on my previous package), anything else was icing on the cake.
They started announcing placements for 5th and 4th, so far so good. Then when they announced 3rd to the guy that beat me 2 years ago, I started to think “is this really happening??” It was between me and another guy, who in the prejudging had a lot of people yelling his name and number, which means he was one of the favorites (or brought a fan club with him). Finally, they announced him as runner up and it hit me, I JUST WON MY PRO CARD!!!!!
After they announced the other class winners (and now new pros) they put the winners together for the overall comparisons. Of course, we’re all beaming at this point as we just won our pro cards, but they still want to get the overall champ. I started out on the end (being the short class winner), but I found myself again being moved to the middle! The judges drilled us throught the poses and I was feeling really good with how I was hitting them. In the end, the medium-tall class winner, Okechukwu Egungwu, won the overall, which is who I had picked (this man is amazing!) However, I learned later that I was only 1 point away from the overall title myself, which being competitive onstage with other new pros was a huge victory in itself!!
The moment was surreal and with the emotions, hard to put into words. Becoming a professional natural bodybuilder is a goal I set 17 years ago and to achieve it is just amazing. It still hasn’t fully sunk in yet, but every time I tell someone that knows the work I’ve put in, I get emotional.
I absolutely have to thank those that helped me realize this goal. First, my wonderful wife Mandee, who has put up with me all these years through the training, dieting and crankyness that comes with this sport. I do my best to try to not let it rule my life, but having her being so understanding and patient is invaluable!! I also want to thank everyone at Nutri-Sport, who stepped up and help me with making sure I got my training and meals in and for all their encouragement. Dr Tyler Molstre from True Life Chiropractic for not only his regular care and adjustments, but for helping me stay healthy (combining powerlifting and bodybuilding can take a toll if not careful), grounded and focused, IFPA Pro Layne Norton who was my coach and mentor over the last 2 years of off season and precontest work. I don’t care what sport or level you are at, having a coach pushing you past your normal limits is essential! Finally, to Cody Nour my training partner for being dedicated, reliable and pushing me in the gym, stepping up when my energy levels and intensity might not be where they needed to be (plus putting up with my attitude that last few weeks!) 
My next goals are to compete at the NASA Nationals on January 24th in Oklahoma and then I plan on making my pro bodybuilding debut in June at the IFPA Mr. Universe down south. Thank you again to EVERYONE for your support and encouragement!!!
Ryan Irwin, IFPA Pro Natural Bodybuilder
Ryan Irwin, Natural USA
Nutri-Sport & Full Potential Training
9992 Swanson Blvd
Clive, IA 50325
www.nutrisportFPT.com
Comments
5 Responses to “Natural USA Contest results and summary!!”
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Ryan-CONGRATS!!!!! You look great!
Jacob
Your hard work sure did pay off!! You look great! CONGRATULATIONS and well deserved!!
Kim Aasness
Congrats Ryan. I am very happy for you. You look awesome.
Congratulations Ryan, You look amazing.
Definitely a lot of hard work paid off. Juggling family, work, and everything else can be a challenge. You have a great partner in Mandi. God is good.
All the best to you and yours, Lisa Matthew
I think you are good writer, keep us posting