Since turning pro in 1999, Melvin Anthony has entered 29 events, but won only one. And that was back in 2004 at the Night of Champions.

He's come close his last two competitions, taking second at the New Zealand Grand Elite Pro and the Australia Pro Grand Prix VIII.

"For me, (judges) change standards so much it kind of eludes me," said Anthony of just falling short of winning. "I'm trying to have a combination of size and conditioning. People have upped the ante when it comes to conditioning, coming in in better shape at every show.

"It's getting to the point where they're trying to make it a glute contest. You have to add lines (definition) to your glutes. I'm just focusing on getting better in that area then I'll come in with the complete package. I don't want to have glutes and sacrifice size then they'll say I'm small. So for me it's 'Catch 22'."

Anthony, 34, of West Hills, Calif., is one of three guest posers here for the 30th Hawaiian Islands Bodybuilding & Figure Championships, 6:30 tonight. The event includes open, juniors, masters and women's figure competitions. The winner of the open event will qualify for the USA and National Championships.

Anthony's next stop is the Mr. Olympia, Sept. 25 to 28, in Las Vegas. He began prepping for the sport's biggest event last week.

"This Mr. Olympia will be my best conditioning ever," the 5-foot-8 Anthony said. "I'm 270 right now. I want to get to 235. I want to be ripped."

While he sculpts his body in the coming months to find the perfect symmetry with definition, Anthony is assured of one thing at Mr. Olympia: He will put on an entertaining posing routine. Despite placing eighth in the competition, at the Arnold Classic earlier this year, he pocketed $10,000 for taking the Most Entertaining Posing Award at the event.

Posing, he said, came naturally to him. And all because he's good with his feet. As a youth, he was a mascot for a break-dancing group, which competed all over California and even in Texas. He has carried his dance creativity to his posing routines.

"I had the experience as a kid," he said. "As I got bigger and put on more muscle, I never lost it (ability to dance). I was always able to move."

Anthony began dancing at 11, but was exposed to weight lifting at 13. But first, he had to lose a misconception about guys with big bodies.

"I always thought as a kid, you had to go to jail to get big because of the guys in my neighborhood who were big, just got out of jail," he said with a smile.

Anthony said a man in his neighborhood he only knew by the name of "Strong" set him straight. Strong, Anthony said, had the physique, but didn't develop it in prison. He turned out to be the role model Anthony needed at the time.

Meanwhile, Anthony said spectators at tonight's Hawaiian Islands competition can see something they don't see often: A 270-pound giant be light on his feet.

"People like to see that because they don't think someone my size can move," he said. "That's where the draw is. Don't take your eyes off me, (my routine) always changes. So they'll always get a good show."

Notes: Guest posers will perform between the various competitions. Joining Anthony are Victor Martinez, runner-up of last year's Mr. Olympia, and Troy Alves, who won the Best Symmetry Ward last year by Weider Magazine.