Dad wins title in Vegas
Once an obese cabinet maker from Manurewa, Jerry Mamea has just won his first Natural Olympia title in Las Vegas.
He competed against participants from almost 50 countries.
At the 2016 INBA/PNBA Natural Olympia competition, Mamea won gold in the Men’s Physique - Novice category. Fellow New Zealander Ben Bosomworth from Christchurch took the silver medal. Nahuel Chicahuala from Argentina won bronze.
Contestants were judged on the basis of fitness and athleticism where they had to display shape and symmetry combined with muscularity.
‘‘It all feels like a dream, still somewhat unbelievable, because this is only my first year competing,’’ he says.
He says it felt ‘‘oddly surreal at first and it wasn’t until we had arrived home that it really sunk in’’.
He was welcomed home by family and friends and with a haka. He describes it being ‘‘so emotional. [I] am immensely grateful to those who supported and helped to get me to Las Vegas to compete’’.
He’s back in South Auckland and is looking forward to helping the community get into the best shape possible.
‘‘I don’t think one could ever have this kind of experience and remain unchanged. Growth for me is in so many areas but the main one [is] being able to help more people in the community achieve their fitness goals.’’
For him, a family doesn’t only comprise blood ties.
‘‘There are so many people who have come into my life this year through fitness and have invested in me financially, spiritually and emotionally - these people, I call family. For myself and my family, it’s very much a team effort and is about striving for what some believe to be unattainable, and succeeding in that quest.’’
It’s been a hectic year for the Mameas and now he wants to ‘‘spend some time with family and friends, relax and look forward to the festive season. I will definitely assess and go back to the drawing board in the new year’’.
He has won six awards in three competitions in 2016 alone.
He plans on competing again in the INBA next year.
To the future bodybuilders of South Auckland, he says: ‘‘Dream Big and Live It’’.