Dragna returns to pose as Mr. USA

Advertiser Staff

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WHAT: 20th annual Paradise Cup WHERE: Sheraton Waikiki Hawai'i Ballroom WHEN: 7 p.m. today. Doors open 5:30 p.m. GUEST POSERS: Idrise Ward-El, Chris Cormier, Mike Dragna. Also featuring Jenn Ryann, fitness/extreme sports model TICKETS: $8 general admission (at door). Reserved seating: $30, $25, $20, $15 TICKETS OUTLETS: 24 Hour Fitness Pearl Kai 486-2424 (Kimo); Heavy Metal Barbell Co. 734-1267. INFORMATION: Guy Leong 223-5677; theparadisecup.com

"Now, it's a job."

Dragna, 30, who came here as an 18-year-old Marine and never left, became a professional by winning the Mr. USA in Las Vegas in July.

The result was "more endorsements and more guest posing."

His first posing gig locally will come today in the 20th Paradise Cup bodybuilding championships at the Sheraton Waikiki.

Dragna, who also is a personal trainer, said he never foresaw himself as a bodybuilder although he had lifted weights since he was 12.

"A friend of mine told me I had potential," said Dragna, who is 5 feet 7 and 250 pounds.

So he dieted for five weeks and entered the Hawaiian Islands Championships.

"I was nervous. I didn't know what to expect," he said.

He won the light-heavyweight title and two years later in 1999 won the overall title.

That qualified him for a national event. He entered the National Physique Committee's Mr. USA competition in 2000. His sixth-place finish made him realize he had a future in the sport.

"I never realized it until I did the Mr. USA in 2000. I never had anyone to compare myself with," he said. "So I pursued it and it all worked out."

He entered the same event in 2001 and 2002. But 2003 turned out to be the charm, although the victory was bittersweet.

Dragna's grandmother, who raised him from age 12, died a week prior to the event.

"I almost didn't do it, but my family persuaded me... (competing) was a blessing."

Dragna called his grandmother "a sweetheart. She was the best person that I've ever known. She took me in and I thank her for that."

Now, Dragna is quick to give credit to his wife Ginger and their two daughters.

"I've always had a passion for working out, but the support of my family helped me succeed," he said.

"What is hard is trying to balance working out and your family life. (Training for a contest) can be hard on everybody, so that's what I mean when I say they're so supportive. She pushes me; she supports me; she just puts up with me."

Dragna said he won't compete in 2004 and will concentrate on trying to "add more muscle ... and then in 2005, I'll do the Ironman in Los Angeles."

His long-term goal is "to be in the Mr. Olympia."

NOTES: Dragna's contest weight is 225 pounds, 25 under what he weighs now. "I'm in guest-posing shape, there's a difference." ... Other guest posers include Chris Cormier, ranked second in the world by the International Federation of Body Builders, and Idrise Ward-El, 2001 Mr. USA.