Hard work, a strict diet and lots of encouragement from family and friends paid off big time for Katie Duncan last month.Competing in only her second bodybuilding competition, Duncan put in a great performance, placing third in the middleweight women's division at the B.C. provincials in North Vancouver Aug. 19. On Nov. 16 last year Duncan placed second in the Sandra Wickham Fall Classic, which qualified her for the provincials.
"Contest preparation seemed a little tougher this time. After all, it was right in the middle of daiquiri season, and here she was trying to stick to a strict diet. But it was all well worth the effort," said trainer Charlene SanJenko. "Katie looked awesome at the show. She worked hard to build up her upper body during the off-season, making it more proportionate with her naturally great legs -a real strong point - and it paid off."
Duncan is already preparing for her next challenge.
"I'm starting my off-season training and nutrition regime," Duncan said. "Charlene and I are competing together in April at the Western Canadians in Kelowna as well as the Emerald Cup in Bellevue, Wash., which is the largest amateur body building competition in North America.
"This time my goal is to compete in the lightweight division. I look forward to competing again, especially with Charlene. Besides, I told [trainer Ben Smith] that I'm not stopping until I bring home a first place trophy and I'm sticking to that."Duncan will also be completing her weight trainer's certification over the next several months.
Duncan is a member of the Competitors' Club based at Coast of Sunshine Fitness in Gibsons.
Other members of the club include Ainsley Krone, Ressa Rutherford, Dawna Jones and Carol Skytte.
In early August Coast Reporter introduced readers to the four women as they prepared for their first competition in Nanaimo. That event was to have taken place Sept. 9, but it was unfortunately cancelled.
The women are not deterred by this little setback. They are continuing with their dieting and training regime and new goals have been set.
Jones and Skytte are preparing for the Sandra Wickham Fall Classic on Nov. 19, while Rutherford and Krone plan to wait until next year to compete.
Fundraising efforts (a calendar featuring the girls), information sessions and a new website for the Competitors' Club are also all in the works.
"I'm really serious about promoting/hosting my own show in 2008. I want to keep creating momentum, momentum and more positive momentum," said SanJenko. "Our fall focus is growing this Club. I envision hosting information sessions in Sechelt, Pender Harbour and Powell River over the next few months where we talk about competing, do some posing and show off our routines in hopes of inspiring others to join us."
