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[willyd]

Benoit makes bodybuilding history
LONNIE YOUNG

Mike Benoit had a huge showing at the recent Newfoundland and Labrador Amateur Bodybuilding Association Championships.

Benoit proved to be the cream of the competition, placing first in the Light Heavyweight Division (176-198 lbs), first in the Masters Class (35 years and up), winning the Top Poser Award and capturing the overall title of Mr. Newfoundland and Labrador, which goes to the best competitor in the entire show.

In accomplishing the latter of the four feats, Benoit became the first Masters competitor to ever win the overall title.

It had been ten years since he competed in his last event, a second place finish in the Heavyweight Division of the Atlantic Championships, and he hadn't entertained any thoughts of competing again until recently.

"When I realized that 20 years ago was my first bodybuilding show and that my 37th birthday was two days before this show, I said to my fiancée Tara that this was a sign for me to do this show," said Benoit.

"I had been doing some personal training with several clients so I was already working out and after a good healthy year of training, I decided that I would really dedicate myself for three months to complete this task." Benoit credited his unique diet along with plenty of hard work as a couple of the keys to his success.

"I was the only one at the show that did fat burning; every other competitor there avoided fats to get lean where I consumed mostly fats, essential oils and protein," he said.

"So I did a modified fat diet for the show and at 37-years-old, I was the leanest one there with doing the least amount of cardio. Many people have heard of the Atkins diet, well I basically did a modified Atkins diet."

Benoit also wanted to point out he couldn't have had any success without the support of his long time fiancé and soon to be wife Tara Briden, they plan to be married this coming August.

"I give a lot credit to Tara," said Benoit. "You really need a supportive partner when you do something like this because it's a very selfish endeavor; my training, my diet, my workouts and my sleep.

"She was very patient and helped me in many ways to prepare for the competition. She actually did the diet with me for ten weeks, which was very helpful to me and in addition she got in the best shape of her life."

As it happened, Briden's involvement in his training for this competition could have a direct impact on whether he competes again.

"While Tara was helping me with my program she kind of got the bug for this stuff herself and she is thinking about competing in the Heavyweight Classic event this coming November," he said.

"If she decides to do the show then to support her like she supported me I'm going to do the diet with her and we just might end up competing together at that show. If this does turn out to be my last show then I will be very content with that."

A bit of trivia regarding Benoit's win at this event is that it marks the third time in Stephenville's history that competitors from here have captured this title. Benoit joins Byron Alexander and Eddy Blanchard as past provincial champions in this sport. hell ya

[LCShadows]

Very cool! Not only on Atkins but not a youngster. Love to hear both.

[healthy lady T]

This is great. Is there a website where we could see pictures of him? I would also like to know what he daily plan looked like. That's very encouraging. Thanks for passing the information along willyd.

[willyd]

There is a write up on him on jimmy moore's blog,he's trying to find him to do a interview