Clean sweep for Team Trainstation at nationals
Te Awamutu’s all-female team takes three bodybuilding titles in Christchurch
Te Awamutu’s Team Trainstation sent a threestrong all-female team to the WFFNZ National Bodybuilding Championships in Christchurch on September 23, with all competitors coming away as national champions.
The team comprised Neeve Morrison in the bikini category, Carrin Blackett in the sports model category and Natalie Tonks in figure bodybuilding.
Trainstation coach Mike Smith had returned from Japan that Thursday to be there for Friday and capture all the action alongside team co-coach and championship winner in Japan, Justine Miller.
First up was Morrison, who started her comps in Te Awamutu in June and then followed up with this, her third show.
She has improved out of sight and took out the novice bikini division in fine style, finishing as national champ.
Morrison has made incredible
gains and was competitive in an overall line-up comprising new professionals. She will be one to watch in a few years if she continues in the sport.
Blackett was next up, also in her third show and second of the year
after qualifying for the nationals in Te Awamutu. She won her category amid a good line-up.
She also missed out on overall awards for Upcoming Star and New Star in the Making.
“What Blackett has achieved in a short time is truly amazing. I am very proud of her, [she’s] always one of the first in the gym in the early hours and always one of the hardest workers,” Smith says.
Next up was Tonks, in what became a very special day for her.
Fresh off a big victory in the Pan Pacifics, she hadn’t planned on doing nationals, but the opportunity to shine on the national stage and take out the big one proved too tempting.
Tonks took the stage, showing the confidence and grace to win her Superbody category, along with the Best Performer award. She was later crowned Miss New Zealand Figure.
“Tonks has been relentless in her prep and will never back down from a challenge. [She’s] a true champ and deserves all the accolades, now and
in the future,” says coach Smith.
Tonks would like to thank her late mum, also a bodybuilder, for all her motivation, and her dad for being there on the day -—truly the best day and tribute.
The day finished with the WFF announcing the date of the first comp of 2024 and the national qualifier, Te Awamutu’s Rosetown Posedown on June 22.
Coach Smith would like to thank all the team sponsors, athletes and the WFFNZ for a great season.