Bodybuilding is a sport I havent really been that interested in before. As part of the week long National Sports Festival being held in Daegu there was the National Bodybuilding Championships being held at Daegu Health College a short bike ride from where I lived. As I had devoted this weekend to seeing as many events as I could (see previous entry) this was also on my itinerary. 

The Daegu Health College campus is close to where I live and it was very easy finding the building that was hosting the bodybuilding event as there were tv broadcast trucks outside and other bodybuilders working out on the lawn.



Inside the event was already underway and the auditorium quite full. Surprisingly it wasnt a male only audience and there were just as many women including old ajumas! 

I entered midway thru the group posing. A line of bodybuilders were on the stage and would pose together in a variety of poses for the judges to view and audience to admire. There was a lot of shouting as people were cheering on their favourites, as though they thought this would sway the judges opinion. 

After this began solo performances set to music.  This was with a new set of bodybuilders who had about minute each to perform their set.


Video : Bodybuilding Solo Performances - Daegu National Sports Festival
http://youtu.be/Olase5pkdY4


 
 
 









Shortly after this the new set of bodybuilders all returned for group judging. They would again stand in their instructed poses while the crowds wildly shouted for their favourites. Then the people from the left end of the stage would switch with the other end so all contestants had equal close up exposure in front of the judges at one end. 
 


Video : Bodybuilding Mens Line Up 1 - Daegu National Sports Festival
http://youtu.be/OhA4kpRdgxo


 
 
 




















After this it was becoming quite repetitive so I left to find the Judo Championships that were also taking place on the same campus (see previous entry). The judo wasnt as interesting so I came back after taking some photos there. 

By this time the event was now featuring taller guys. It seems the first set was about 5'8-5'10 height while this group was 5'11-6ft. Also some of the people in this group seemed older and looked in their 40s. 

Again they were doing their group line and poses then switch to alternate ends of the stage to have equal close up time with the judges. Selected candidates would be selected for the final line up and take the front of the stage while the unsuccessful ones stood at the back of the stage 


Video : Bodybuilding Mens Line Up 2 - Daegu National Sports Festival
http://youtu.be/jOLB8G6wGZ8
 

 
 
 




























 















It became quite a shouting match again as people were screaming for their favourites. I was seated near an old ajumma who was yelling for her choice at the top of her lungs right into my ears. 

Finally as we neared 5pm they began the awards ceremonies. The three finalists would come to the podiums and would have final victory posing postures for waiting photographers.  


 

Video : Bodybuilding Medals - Daegu National Sports Festival
http://youtu.be/ilJ_sgo3yOU


 
 





As the crowds were slowly dispersing I decided to head out too. I wanted to try to see where the backstage area was where all the bodybuilders were entering from. I found a corridor and was able to stroll right down to the backstage area.

Even though I had a media pass nobody was checking and it seemed as though I was invisible. I've found this quite common as a lot of people are not confident talking to foreigners. 

The contestants were all relaxing and lounging around in the backstage area. Some were getting professional photographs done. 

I could also see onto the stage and the guards werent bothered about me peering thru. There was a final medals ceremony taking place. After I followed the winners out to where the waiting crowds had gathered in front of the auditorium. 

 
 
 
 
 
 






















Having not had any serious interest in bodybuilding beforehand it does leave you with a greater respect for those that have the dedication, stamina, and endurance to persevere with their goals. It does leave you on a high motivating you to work out more until the reality kicks in that you're never going to look like them!