Athlete Insider

This year’s 40th Annual Atlantic Classic Championships will be held in Moncton at Casino NB for the 6th year in a row.  

What an evolution from way back in the day in 1978 going from a High School venue to the prestigious Casino NB.  The first event held in history was one to remember.  The 1977 Mr. Canada and Mr. Universe Roy Callendar guest posed during this event at the 1978 Atlantics (then called the Maritime Bodybuilding Championships). Jimmy Caurso, the worlds top physique photographer and IFBB General Secretary Winston Roberts were also on hand to officiate and oversee the event.  Jean LeBlanc (the Promoter of this event) had literally transformed his former bulky physique into a chiseled work of art. He had won the first Maritime Championship title long before stepping on stage.  In those early days it was called the Maritime Championships, which later was changed to the Atlantic Bodybuilding Championships.

Here we are 40 years later, going from 8 classes to 33 classes in all amazing disciplines of Bodybuilding, Men’s Classic Physique, Men’s Physique, Women’s Physique, Figure & Bikini.  Since Heather & Jean LeBlanc took over in 2007, the Atlantic Classic Championships has evolved tremendously over the past 12 years.  Canadian Physique Alliance NB Director Heather LeBlanc explains; “The interest in competing has exploded over the past few years particularly when we started holding more educational fitness & bodybuilding seminars.  Athletes never had a reference point or knew anything about our sport like they do today.  They now have the direction and tools to commence their competitive journey to the stage.   Our objective has always been to get as many people on stage as we possibly can and by organizing and promoting the Atlantic Championships bringing it to great heights. In a Vegas style production and atmosphere, it makes competing fun, exhilarating and it gives the athlete the spotlight to showcase their amazing physiques in front of 1000 spectators. Our objective is to always keep them coming back for more.   Going back 40 years is a long time, but the Promoters have prepared a beautiful tribute to the past 40 years that you don’t want to miss!

The show doesn’t stop there.  Get ready for the biggest and baddest class returning for a 2ndtime, the newly created and Invitational Bodybuilding Class, the Gladiator Elite Bodybuilding Showdown with a twist… (David.vs. Goliath). The opening of this division at the night show will be explosive and like nothing you’ve ever seen before. This year, the Promoters decided to put in two separate weight classes; the David Division (190 lbs. and under) and the Goliath Division (over 190 lbs.), giving more fairness and allowing the medium size-built gentlemen a chance to compete against guys within their own weight class.  The winner of each division; the David and the Goliath will both win the “cutting edge” sword and then move on to the Gladiator Overall Showdown (the Gleaming Golden Shield).  Over $3000 in Bursaries and Prizes will be handed out to this special division to aid in their journeys to the Canadian Physique Alliance Pro-Qualifier Stage for 2018 events.  4 Time Canadian Bodybuilding Champion and IFBB Pro Ti-Jean LeBlanc explains; “I had this idea in 2016 when we held the 1stGladiator of bringing bodybuilding back to where it once was by trying to create more interest in offering a personal invite to some of the best bodybuilders in Atlantic Canada to compete in an Elite best of the best open class of bodybuilding.  In the past 12 years, Bodybuilding in Atlantic Canada has been slowly declining and these special “Olympian” style showdowns have definitely brought it back to life!”  

On the Gladiator roster, there will be big names taking part in this upcoming division for the Goliaths; we have the defending and returning National Level Competitor Prince Boabang as well as National Level Champion Andrew Dudka both form Halifax, NS. From the “Rock” big boy Moe (Morgan MacDonald), 265lbs of solid muscle will give our defending champ a run for his money.  Veteran Darrin Gray also from St. John’s NL will be in the mix up against New Brunswick’s Sebastien Bertin from Dieppe, Jonny Reeves from Moncton and Fredericton’s Corey Janes and Michael Thier.  Don’t count out Wade MacIntyre from Prince Edward Island who just captured the title of Mr. PEI this past weekend.  In the David Division; all eyes will be on the 2016 returning and runner-up Gladiator Champion Devin Trenholm, as well as, Veterans Mike Griffin and Andrew Kupkee all from Saint John, NB.  Newcomers; Aaron Ivany from Halifax NS and Randy Madsen from Fredericton NB will be fighting tooth and nail for the big win.  From the Rock, you will see Veteran & Overall NL Champ John Whelan take the stage once again, as well as, Bruno Rodrigues both from Paradise, Newfoundland.  From PEI, Corey Arsenault will bring his ripped and conditioned package to the stage after competing this past weekend winning his weight division.   Jean LeBlanc states; the caliber of conditioning and size this year is enormous, and this showdown will be the best competition in the history of bodybuilding to date here on the East coast.   Jean describes the gladiator as; “Bodybuilders of high caliber who have won an Overall Championship in their own province or achieved high accolades in their sport.” LeBlanc says; “Out of 35 invitations sent out, 20 Gladiators accepted, but only 18 will compete due to injured Overall BB Champion Jamie Peterson from Miramichi and Overall BB Champion David Naugler from Halifax, NS.  Both will still take part in this event as spectators but will be part of the awards ceremony and press conference.  Jean remarks; I never dreamt in a million years that this division would create so much hype and interest in our sport like it has since the last Gladiator showdown in 2016, I am however, pleased with the response by both our fans and the athletes.”  With a mini “Olympia” style press conference the night before the event, the smack talk will commence and war will be unleashed.  18 Gladiators will be battling it out for 1st, 2ndand 3rdplacing’s in each respective division. All Gladiators will also receive commemorative medals.  Significant bursary amounts will be awarded to support their competitive journeys to the Pro-Qualifiers.

On the Open Bodybuilding Roster (not including the gladiators), Brad Jones from Newfoundland will be turning heads in the Super Heavyweight Class, as well as, Men’s Classic Physique competitor Antoine Arsenault from Moncton who placed runner-up in his division in PEI this past weekend.  Men’s Classic Physique has close to 10 competitors in the A & B open classes and is building up its popularity with more of a “Frank Zane” look of bodybuilding and this division is certainly inspired by Ontario’s Chris Bumstead who was runner-up at the 2017 Mr. Olympia.  It’s a different look than Bodybuilding and we expect great things from this new division.  Women’s Physique will bring back its returning 2017 Atlantic Champion Candice McLean battling it out and retaining the title against 5 other women.  The biggest in Women’s Physique we’ve seen to date. Figure competitors will also hit the stage with a little lesser muscular look than Women’s Physique.  Joanne Seamone from Lower Coverdale will have her sights on the title winning her class at the Nova Scotia CPA Natural Championships and the 2017 New Brunswick Provincial Championships.  Men’s Physique will showcase a stacked “C” class this year with over 10 competitors including Overall NS CPA Natural Champion Greg Franklin from Halifax NS and we can expect the same caliber in the other Open Classes as well showcasing Denny Thibodeau, a former class Champion and Guillame Haché also a former class champion in 2017.  Of course, one of the most popular divisions will be the very popular Bikini Division showcasing over 70 competitors.  In the mix will be reigning 2017 Atlantic Champion Jessie Lynn Ellsworth from Summerside PEI who just won the PEI Championships this past weekend battling it out with Atlantic Class Champion Stephanie Bellavance from Saint Quentin, Trina Crowe from Halifax, NS and Veteran and returning competitor Nathalie Doucet from Cocagne, NB.  Nathalie took some time off competing since 2008 but is coming back with a vengeance, fierce and fiery, we look forward to seeing the new Nathalie Doucet.  One of the most popular divisions this year seems to be the Novice divisions.  In the Bikini Novice Division (newcomers to the sport) who have never competed will showcase 17 girls in this open class; including newbie Rhonda Lane and Dreya Donovan both from Moncton, NB.  CPA NB Director Heather LeBlanc points out; “We put Novice in all our Disciplines this year; Bodybuilding, Men’s Physique, Bikini, Men’s Classic Physique and Figure.  We got a tremendous turnout, and this will allow competitors a chance to compete at the same level and same caliber as others just starting out in the sport. Don’t count out our Grandmasters and master’s Divisions in all disciplines across the board, these classes will also showcase mature muscle and prove that 40 and 50-year old’s can get in top shape setting an example for others to do the same.

The newly appointed Canadian Physique Alliance Director Heather LeBlanc and her husband Ti-Jean are both confident that a show of this magnitude is only a successful one because of the support of all individuals involved.  Heather remarks; “We are only successful because of the people who have supported us along the way; athletes, sponsors, fans, volunteers and our CPA president Ron Haché.We have an amazing team helping us organize the event and the support of fans and people buying tickets to come watch the show is the key to its success.

In closing, Prejudging will commence at 9:00 am, with tickets being sold at the door for $20 each.  The evening show finals will begin at 6:00 pm, tickets are available at www.casinonb.ca.  For more details about the show, please visit our website at www.atlanticclassic.ca.