Locals rise to the challenge in quest for bodybuilding, figure championships

The spotlight in Nicholls State University’s Talbot Auditorium hit the competitors’ toned, muscular, tanned bodies.

With each pose, they displayed the results of consistent workouts and proper nutrition: ripped abs, defined legs, bulging biceps.

The crowd of hundreds loved every minute, snapping pictures and cheering wildly for their favorites.

This was the scene Saturday night as Houma residents Chad “Chaz” Naquin and Chrisitina Lapeyrouse won the overall men’s and women’s titles at the National Physique Committtee Bayou Region Bodybuilding and Figure Championships.

“I took the show on a 30-minute notice,” said Naquin, still stocked by his victory after the show. “I doubted I was going to win before they called my name for the overall trophy.”

After winning the Men’s Novice Heavyweight class, Naquin was judged better than lightweight class winner John Darby and middleweight class winner Tommy Hand.

Naquin, 23, was preparing for another event when former NPC Bayou Region promoter Frank Chaisson asked him to compete the night before.

The Bourg native and 2003 South Terrebonne graduate competed in one bodybuilding contest at age 19 then took three years off to pursue football, which did not work out.

Now dedicated full-time to the sport, Naquin trains five days a week, two to two-and-a-half hours a day. Even with his chiseled physique, he has certain areas that are easier to develop than others.

“I hate doing arms because I can’t get up for it; I can’t get psyched about doing them,” protested Naquin. “My love is working my legs.”

Lapeyrouse is in her second season as a figure competitor. She began in 2006, but took last year off to add muscle to her frame.

“I train heavy year-round, and I start dieting [for competitions] around mid-January,” she said.

After claiming the Women’s Figure Short class, Lapeyrouse was chosen over Women’s Figure Tall winner April Gold for the overall title.

The Chauvin native and 1997 South Terrebonne graduate started exercising consistently in 2004 and that was just to stay in shape.

Lapeyrouse is a currently a senior dietetics major at Nicholls and hopes to pursue a master’s degree in human performance, wellness and nutrition.

This was her second contest in consecutive weekends. She came in third at the NPC Southern Classic in Jackson, Miss., on June 7.

As lean and sculpted as Lapeyrouse appears, she feels some body parts can get better.

“My shoulders are my hardest to develop,” she said. “As hard as I push them, they don’t grow like I want them to. My back is my favorite part to develop.”

Two other Tri-parish residents competed in the championships.

Taylor Oncale of Thibodaux placed second in the Teenage 15-17 class.

Fifty-year-old Charles “Chuck” Jacob, from Raceland, was the sole participant in the Men’s Masters Over 50 class. So he entered the Over 40 class as well and placed second.

Jacob got into bodybuliding four years ago to improve his health and gain muscle. His regimen was not as stringent as one might imagine.

“I work out at home one hour a day, five to seven days a week,” insisted the Jake’s Auto Parts owner.

Jacob, who carries about five percent body fat, said he eats six-to-eight small meals a day. He does not count calories; he concentrates on consuming 300 grams of protein a day.

Jacob began training for the competition in January and started trimming down his weight last month. He dropped 30 pounds in four weeks, coming into the contest weighing in at 174 pounds.

“It’s real easy,” he said. “You just start [increasing] water intake. No real supplements, no dietetics, or stimulants … other than drinking a lot of coffee.”

This was Jacob’s second competition. He placed third at the Battle of Biloxi last July. He plans on doing contests for a long time.

“I take no medication; I don’t go to any doctor,” he boasted. “I have no problems. I feel great.”

Something Jacob wishes he did have is bigger biceps and tighter abs.

“That’s the way my body is,” he said. “I accept it.”

The Bayou Region Championships went smoothly for first-time promoter Kimberly Billiot, a former competitor who is now a certified personal trainer.

“There’s always room for improvement, but for my first show, I’m very pleased,” she said. “It’s cool being the promoter of the first show I ever competed in and won six years ago

Billiot is a senior sports science major at Nicholls. It’s helped sparked the idea of holding the contest on campus.

“A long time ago, bodybuilding was always set in an auditorium-type setting, and I really like the arrangement of the auditorium,” said Billiot. “I wanted them (Nicholls) to support us, so I figured I’d support them by trying to do the show there. They have been very helpful in putting the show together.”

The BRC has been around since 1985, according to Chaisson. It is not a national qualifier, meaning participants usually use it as practice for some of the bigger shows.

Still the 22 competitors satisfied the crowd, putting on a show for their diehard fans.

“I enjoy watching these kids who are in shape and competing against the other guys who work out,” said Houma fan Pete Brusimoto. “The eye candy isn’t bad either.”

Billiot believes she can revive the event and the sport of bodybuilding to a higher level it once held in the state. “It’s not as big as it used to be, but I’m hoping it gets back to what it was,” she said.

Naquin and Lapeyrouse will compete this Saturday in the NPC Greater Gulf States Bodybuilding and Figure Championships at the Best Western Hotel in Metairie.

Bourg native Chad Naquin faces down stiff competition to win the 2008 NPC Bayou Region Championship Saturday. * Photo by KEYON K. JEFF