Result
Today was the first of two world championship competitions for 2011. With 20 quality physiques on stage with me this was the biggest, toughest line-up I have yet to contest in all of my years of competition. I earned fourth place today, one place outside of the top three I was striving for. While I am far from disappointed with the result, it still leaves me with unfinished business.
Mental focus and preparation pre-competition
I maintained a constructive focus going into the event today. For the entire day I concentrated on what kept me connected to the job I had to do: when to eat, what to eat, what time to start pumping up, whether the contest was running on time according to schedule. Nothing around me mattered – my surroundings, other competitors, a foreign place and time zone, an intimidating world stage. Back stage is always busy, crowded and full of activity – competitors and back stage helpers in a flurry of tanning, pumping up, consuming rice cakes, honey, peanut butter, lollies, alcohol, potions and powders according to each individual’s pre-competition nutrition strategy. But it was imperative I tune that out. I expected a lot from myself once I stepped on that stage.
On stage experience
I enjoy being on stage. It doesn’t frighten or intimidate me. It is familiar to me. I am comfortable under lights in front of hundreds of people and before a panel of keen-eyed judges. I relish that moment when all of my efforts culminate in the right to take my place in such a formidable line-up. And the judges were taking no decisions lightly today. After the compulsory and muscularity poses, I had four call-outs (which means the judges choose the competitors they wish to look more closely at in smaller groups for further comparisons and to refine placings). This is generally a good sign and I was fighting with every ounce of strength I had. It was scorching under the stage lights and my entire body was aching and in pain. But none of that mattered because first and foremost in my mind was the amount I had invested to get here. Nothing could stop me now!
The moment of truth: Have I set my standards high enough to achieve a world ranking?
The Natural Olympia in three weeks presents yet another opportunity to improve my physique. The result will validate whether my standards have indeed been high enough to earn a world ranking.
