Quebec’s flamboyant Arsene Lagrange has always had a huge passion for the sport of bodybuilding. Back in the 90’s he played a big part in the Quebec Bodybuilding scene as a competitor and contest organizer. However, Arsene felt something was missing from the national scene where it lacked an official drug tested natural competition. He felt the traditional national championships that were dominated by the more freaky sized competitors intimidated the smaller athletes. Arsene believed there was a need for a separate event where drug testing could be conducted to encourage participation from those natural athletes who wanted to compete drug free. In fact it could be used exclusively to pick a Canadian team to send to the annual IFBB World Championships. Up until that point there was no official selection process to determine what athletes would go to the Worlds.

Lagrange’s goal was to promote such a national event in the province of Quebec, the birthplace of Canadian Bodybuilding. The premise was sound and the first CBBF Canadian World Qualifier was promoted in Quebec in 1998 with Dino Castrilli winning the overall title. Lagrange successfully promoted the event for the next two years with the 2001 contest being relocated to Winnipeg, Manitoba and subsequently moved throughout Canada to the provinces of Ontario, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia and back to Manitoba in 2008. In its Ten-year history, we have seen a lot of top quality Canadian Bodybuilders compete and earn a spot on the Canadian team representing Canada at the worlds.

Such athletes as Ontario’s Blond Bomber Johanna Dejager and Quebec’s highflying Fitness star Nathalie Tabouillet both won the Qualifier on numerous occasions and distinguished themselves internationally by winning a silver medal at the IFBB World Championships. When I think back over the years the majority of the battles transpired between athletes from Quebec and Ontario. Notable Quebec athletes who won and stood out at the Qualifier are Nadia Moussa, Stephen Bussiere, Amada Youssouf, Dino Castrilli, Remi Zuri, Chantel Dicaire, Denis Pedneaualt and Myriam Cantin. On many occasions they faced such great Ontario champions like Guy Bourgon, Emmanuela Pintus, Brian Robitaille, Francis Manias, Natalie Waples, John Raposo, Kim Tilden, Marnie Holley, Tamara Vahn and Che Chamungwana the 2008 Overall Champion. Of course there were many other outstanding athletes that topped up the list such as Saskatchewan’s Nse Ekong, Nova Scotia’s Greg Doucette, Manitoba’s Deanne Brown, Tony Ayre, Cedric Shurraw, Kary Odiatu & Lauren Arnold.

Unfortunately, in spite of the great caliber of athletes that have graced the World Qualifier stage with the exception of the first couple events and the 2003 Championships in Ancaster, Ontario, the championships have never lived up to the expectations that Lagrange and the CBBF envisioned. In fact, for the past several years the Qualifier has struggled to continue in spite of efforts from top Ontario promoters Norm Jacobs and Jim Morris who promoted the event in 2006 and 2007 with limited success. The 2008 event was co-sponsored by the CBBF and Manitoba Bodybuilding Association in Winnipeg with reasonable success but still a far cry from the popularity and prestige of The Canadian National Championships.

President of the CBBF Mark Smishek realizing the problem tabled the situation at the 2008 CBBF annual congress with the goal of finding a way to elevate the World Qualifier to a higher level. It soon became clear that other than being used to pick a team to represent Canada at the World Championships the Qualifier had little significance with the average competitor. Clearly, there was little prestige in winning other than the opportunity of representing Canada at the World Championships. Most athletes were not interested as the trip is costly and the caliber of competition so high that chances of even making the top 15 was very difficult. As a World Qualifier class winner, the title really didn’t mean anything, as it couldn’t be used for promotion or seeking sponsorship opportunities. Fortunately, the idea was floated that perhaps the Qualifier should be renamed the CBBF Canadian Natural Physique Championships. As they say, it is all in the name! Suddenly we now have a contest with a viable championship title that is not only prestigious but also meaningful and recognizable.

Along with the name change it was also decided that the Championships needed a top promoter and a permanent location where the show could be held each year in an effort to build it up.

I have been a close friend with Quebec’s Joe Spinello for over 20 years and marvel at his passion and dedication to the sport of bodybuilding. The list of Joe’s accomplishments are unequalled and pretty impressive, beginning with his win at the 1987 Junior World Bodybuilding Championships, Canadian Championships, and then as one of Canada’s most recognizable Pro bodybuilders. Retiring from competitive bodybuilding in the early 90’s Joe became the Vice President of the Quebec Bodybuilding Federation and used his determination and relentless work ethic to boost Quebec Bodybuilding by rebuilding the Quebec Championships to a level not seen in a decade. His promotion of the Quebec Championships for the past 8 years has elevated the status of Quebec Bodybuilding to being one of the best provincial events in Canada. Joe’s expertise has also been showcased in his highly successful promotions of the 2005 & 2008 Canadian National Championships. In fact he even promoted the 2006 & 2007 Montreal Pro Championships receiving rave reviews from the press, media, and pro athletes who attended.

Now Joe has stepped up to the plate to promote the newly created 2009 CBBF Canadian Natural Physique Championships to be held the weekend of March 21, at the Andre Mathieu Auditorium in Laval, Quebec. Joe is very excited to have been granted the opportunity to promote this event and promises to use all his expertise and vast experience to build the Canadian Natural Championships to one of the most prestigious contests in Canada.

“There are so many other organizations out there who are very good at boasting and spreading propaganda. They say they drug test, which is questionable and suck in naïve athletes with promises of fame and fortune if they compete. I’ve spoken to a lot of very disillusioned and frustrated athletes after competing in one of these events. They are charged huge entry fees and there are so many divisions that everyone gets confused and lost in the shuffle. Often the shows run past midnight. I know for a fact that there are many natural athletes in Canada who just want to compete in a fairly judged National natural competition for a recognizable legitimate title! Now, if they compete at my show in March that is what they will get. I will put my reputation on the line that anyone attending this event will not be disappointed. No, I am not promising any fantastic prizes, modeling contracts, or instant fame but a nice trophy, smoothly run show, one of the best-lighted theaters in Canada, and qualified judges. The winners will be rewarded with an official Canadian Natural Championship title and the opportunity to compete for Canada at the IFBB World Championships in 2009. Bro, I ask you, what could be better than that?”

Judging from the intense stare and fierce passion in Spinello’s voice, I was convinced that he is going to do something special with this show. Heck! I am tempted to go to the closet and pull out my dusty posing trunks and give the 2009 Canadian Natural Championships a run myself! My only problem, the trunks won’t fit!!