What a fantastic weekend in Edmonton at the 2011 Muscle Beach Bodybuilding Classic. It was an honor to photograph such a stellar event and group of athletes. I had fun!! That said, the highlight for me was being with friends at the annual ABBA banquet at the Westin Hotel yesterday. There is something unique about the core group of athletes that I have known for going on ten years. It's a bond, a unique friendship that will last a lifetime.
Without going into details, and without knowing many details, it's powerful to hear the stories behind many of the successes. When someone wins a trophy, the thank yous and the real successes are revealed. The human spirit is strong. It's enduring and will always prevail - that's what defines a winner.
This year's get-together was the unveiling of changes in the ABBA. Although no change is easy to accept, it's going to be a fun term for the new executive of the ABBA. When Brian and Donna Logue stepped down, and David Leung, Debbie Barrable and Asha Belisle took over, perhaps there was some nervousness. Whatever there was quickly vanished. The team did a fantastic job leading the ABBA for the past four years. Yesterday, David shared that he is stepping down on January 15, 2012, and there will be a new addition in the position of Secretary/Treasurer in IFBB Figure Pro Leah Berti. The combined team of Asha, Debbie and Leah will lead the ABBA to even bigger and better things over the next while and I for one an excited to see where this great Alberta association goes.
Congrats to all the athletes nominated this year for awards and to all those who won. A huge thank you to David Leung for all he's done for the sport in Alberta, and an equally big thank you to Asha for stepping up to take the reins. Asha, you have the support of everyone in the province and will undoubtedly do a tremendous job.
Here's to a fantastic 2012 for the ABBA, it's executive, judges and athletes.
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