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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Sunday, June 22, 2008

Rising stars to muscle up at Blaisdell

Advertiser Staff

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Victor Martinez has shown steady improvement since 2002.

Hawaiian Islands Bodybulding photo

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HAWAIIAN ISLANDS BODYBUILDING & FIGURE CHAMPIONSHIPS

WHEN:Saturday, 6:30 p.m.

WHERE: Blaisdell Concert Hall

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Mr. Olympia runner-up Victor Martinez will be one of three guest posers at the 30th Hawaiian Islands Bodybuilding & Figure Championships Saturday night at the Blaisdell Concert Hall.

The show, which includes various bodybuilding contests for men and women, starts at 6:30 p.m. The competition serves as a national qualifier for the USA and national championships.

Martinez took second to Jay Cutler, who won bodybuilding's top professional contest for the second consecutive time last year in Las Vegas. Martinez has improved his standing since 2004, when he placed ninth. In 2005, he took fifth and in 2006 placed third.

Last year, Martinez won the International Federation of Body Building and Fitness Arnold Classic after taking third in 2006, seventh in 2005 and 13th in 2002. The Arnold Classic, named after Arnold Schwarzenegger before he became California governor, is considered the second most prestigious contest after the Mr. Olympia.

Joining Martinez as guest posers are Melvin Anthony and Troy Alves. Anthony was sixth at last year's Mr. Olympia. He was eighth at this year's Arnold Classic and second in the Australian Grand Prix. Anthony, though, won the Most Entertaining Poser Award at the Arnold Classic, pocketing $10,000. Alves turned pro after winning the USA Championships in 2002. In his pro debut in 2003, he took fourth at the IBFF Pro Ironman.

The Hawaiian Islands contest has heavy and lightweight divisions. The respective division champions pose off for the overall title. There also will be the Junior Hawaiian Islands championship, men's masters (35 years and older) and the women's figure championship.

Last year, Navy chief petty officer Kevin Sperling won the heavyweight and overall titles. Laura Millar, an Air Force officer, won the overall women's figure contest.

Reserved seat tickets are $41, $36, $31, $26 and $21. They may be purchased at the NBC box office, Ticket Master Outlets (at Times Super Markets) or by calling 877-750-4400 or online at www.ticketmaster.com.