Wednesday, January 14, 2009
NUS Muscle War
Ive been competing in every muscle war since 2004. 2004s was my first contest, 2005 I got my first ever top 5 placing (3rd), 2006 I got my first ever open category top 5 placing (4th). I didn't place top 5 in 2007 and 2008. 2008 was a particularly bad year and was the first year since 2005 which I didn't win any titles. That years Muscle War I prepared and dieted down, and almost got into a condition good enough to place top 5. However, I was denied a few days of leave, and was activated for duties on the last few days leading up to the contest. That threw my diet completely off course, and in the end, I looked like one of those extras who filled up the space on stage, watery without abs..
Muscle Explosion
Muscle Explosion has sentimental value to me. The first ME was in 2007. I was in the forces and thought at that point that I'll never get to compete like I did before at least for a few years. However, I got a good posting with a very supportive superior, Staff Sergeant Joel. He helped give me plenty of time to train and prepare for the contest. It was next to impossible to diet at that point, as often we had to stay in camp. So I had to make do with eating clean instead of dieting, and to make full use of the time I got to train. I did extra cadio in the hot afternoon sun to make up for dieting. It paid off and I won the ME under 21 category with a perfect score of 3 points. I didn't win the overall Championship, but it gave me a great sense of achievement and fulfillment! To be able to win at a time when I thought I'll only be able to win years later, and especially the overwhelming support from the audience was unforgettable.
Throughout mid 2007 until the middle of 2008, I was serving onboard a military ship. The schedules were hectic and you practically spent more time working or at camp than anything else. It was either duties, or sailing. After a serving for a year, especially after a long deployment, an old injury I got from BMT caught up with me. I fell from a rope with my rifle and pack. My back hurt alot ever since, but I never thought it could be that bad, always thought I could recover from it. When I got it checked however, it turned out to be a double slip disc! Hence I was excused from sailing and duties.
I thought I will stay away from competing, and in the months leading to Muscle War 2009, I felt that I'll give this one a miss, after competing in it for 5 consecutive years! I was beside myself about breaking the trend of competing in every Muscle War, so competing was still in the back of my mind. During this time, I gained mass slowly and steadily, in fact, I started from the time the time I came back from the long overseas deployment. Although I have a double slip disc my years in the sport thought me how to work around my injuries safely and continue making progress. My goal at this point was to prepare for a contest years ahead, perhaps the Nationals, and the goal was to come in so good that no matter how biased the judging might be, to still win
with a perfect score. I still felt resentment towards the biased judging in the previous Nationals I took part in. (I was placed 5th and 3rd respectively for 2 events, despite looking good enough to take 2nd and win the other one)
About 2 months before Muscle War 2009 was to be held, I decided to begin dieting. I felt that since I had more time without having to sail or do duties, I should give it a shot in case I decided to compete in the last minute. 1 month before the event was due to take place, I heard one word which made me make up my mind to compete. MUSCLE EXPLOSION was to be held on the same night as Muscle War! I talked to my girlfriend about it, and she told me the words I needed to hear. She said "It might be hard to diet down while in your current job, but this is a sport. It won't be something easy to do. Its weather you are willing to work hard enough to go after what you want." That just sparked something in me. She was right! A sport, especially something like bodybuilding definitely requires hard work, sweat and blood. That minute onward, I began full scale preparations. That night itself on my way home, I bought a load of diet food, planned my full diet out, and started my full diet the next day.
Till today, I can't forget the support the audience gave me for the previous Muscle Explosion. I felt a special "sense of belonging" of sorts. A number of them told me that I could have won the overall championship and that I should take part in the next one. I knew that that day, the 31st March 2007, I was definitely not good enough to win the overall, but I knew I could do better if I had enough time to diet and prepare. Also those who supported me and were looking foward to my participation for the next ME, I didn't want to let them down..
Today is 15th January, 2 days before the contests. Been dieting for about 2 months now. I massed up to 81kg, currently dieted to 75kg. I feel I'm in the best shape of my life! Whenever I diet down, I look ripped at around the 67kg range. This time I look better at 75kg, which means I have about 7 to 8 kg or new muscle mass. Have added a few inches to everything, especially my legs and shoulders. Its been a year since Ive competed. This will be my 6th consecutive Muscle War participation, and Muscle Explosion Title defence. Am hoping that this comeback will be worth, and I'll walk home on January 17th with something, at least a top 5 placing...
into part of the universe...
9:14 AM
About 2 months before Muscle War 2009 was to be held, I decided to begin dieting. I felt that since I had more time without having to sail or do duties, I should give it a shot in case I decided to compete in the last minute. 1 month before the event was due to take place, I heard one word which made me make up my mind to compete. MUSCLE EXPLOSION was to be held on the same night as Muscle War! I talked to my girlfriend about it, and she told me the words I needed to hear. She said "It might be hard to diet down while in your current job, but this is a sport. It won't be something easy to do. Its weather you are willing to work hard enough to go after what you want." That just sparked something in me. She was right! A sport, especially something like bodybuilding definitely requires hard work, sweat and blood. That minute onward, I began full scale preparations. That night itself on my way home, I bought a load of diet food, planned my full diet out, and started my full diet the next day.
