4th annual panhandle showdown bb, figure & bikini championships; saturday april 10th

**Musclepapa John** · 04-09-2010, 01:08 PM

NPC Panhandle Showdown
Bodybuilding, Figure, Fitness & Bikini Championships
Saturday, April 10, 2010 Pensacola High School Auditorium
Pensacola, Florida Pre-judging 9:30am/ Night Show 5:30pm

MaxFit Sports Nutrition Owner Russ Mesey Delivers for the Panhandle Showdown
by Lisa White

With only a day left until the 2010 NPC Panhandle Showdown you'd think promoter and owner of MaxFit Sports Nutrition Russ Mesey would be sweating bullets about his upcoming bodybuilding show, business and frachise developments. In actuality; it's quite the opposite as we found out in a recent interview. Russ Mesey hasn't relied on luck but on his team of people who have made the NPC Panhandle Showdown a noteworthy show and one that has consistently grown and gotten better. Russ credits many good fortunes to his co-promoters Mike Langford, Ty King and attending competitors from around the country, as well as, exemplary assistance from the host hotel Courtyard Marriott.

The NPC Panhandle has been a success from the beginning offering the stage for Florida natives and national competitors to take part in the level IV-A show. This year's line up includes more than 75 pre-registered and traveling distances from New Jersey, Colorado and Kentucky to partake in the event. Although there are substantial numbers of competitors pre-registered Russ is hoping for a larger turn out than last years 103 competitors and a total reaching 165 with crossovers. Russ also states novices need not be alarmed by the numbers as there are more than enough divisions to feel "well accomplished" with their placings. The prizes the Panhandle has set aside for the winners are also items to evoke grand emotion.

Russ believes the prizes should make competitors feel as if they won a pro-show; hence, the reason for diamond necklaces from Kimberly's Jewelers, as well as, custom made rings for the gentlemen. Gift bags were available to the first 75 registered athletes and were far more than regular take-out bags. The bag is a sling back-pack stuffed full of goodies from Gaspari, PowerShack and BSN, who have been kind enough to support the promoter's and athletes endeavors.

Competitors who would like the chance to compete in the Showdown must participate in the weigh-ins from 4:00pm until 7:00pm on Friday, April 9,2010.

The weigh-ins will be held at Power House Gym with no morning check-ins the day of the show. This works best for getting the prejudging underway in a timely fashion. The prejudging begins at Pensacola High School on Saturday, April 10, 2010 at 9:30am with a 5:30pm evening show. This may seem a bit early but benefits the competitors by finishing early to allow time to enjoy the after party thrown by Russ and his team. Families of competitors will also enjoy the area as it's located close to fine and casual dining restaurants and within minutes of the beach.

For competitors who won't be able to make the Showdown participating in a competition promoted by Russ is still possible with the upcoming 2nd Annual EMERALD COAST POWER EXPO; which will be held on September 11, 2010. The expo consists of bodybuilding, kickboxing, grappling, powerlifting, strongman and more. For more information on the NPC Panhandle Showdown or the Emerald Coast Power Expo please contact Russe Mesey at [email protected], www.PanhandleShowdown.com and www.ecpexpo.com, or MaxFit Sports Nutrition, Ft. Walton Beach, Navarre & Pace, FL. Tel. 850-244-1629 Fax: 850-244-6555

I'll plan to bring back some photos from pcola over the next few days