The Bodybuilding Federation of Samoa hosted some very special guests last week.

Among them is the I.F.B.B Vice President for South Pacific Oceania, Paul Graham, his General Secretary and International I.F.B.B Pro Judge, Carole Graham, and former nine times Mr. New Zealand, Mr. Australasia Bodybuilding and I.F.B.B International Pro Judge, Mark Stewart.

The officials were in the country for a two-day seminar.

Between them, they have over 30 years of experience in the world of Bodybuilding and as part of their determination to rejuvenate Bodybuilding in the Pacific, Samoa is one of the top islands on their list.

Paul Graham, a former Pro Bodybuilder himself, also trained with the greatest in the sport, Arnold Schwarzenegger on many of Arnold’s Mr Olympia contests and is also one of the longest serving executives in the I.F.B.B. for more than 25 years. 

His wife Carole also competed in many bodybuilding competitions and was perhaps one of the pioneers of women in bodybuilding in Australia. She also competed on the world stage and has won various titles including 3 time national champion. 

Mark Stewart who was one of the most prominent Samoan bodybuilders in Australasia in the Masters Class and also trained with one of the Samoan greats in Bodybuilding, the late Sonny Schmidt. 

Mr. Stewart was born in Samoa then moved to New Zealand where he lived and developed his passion for Bodybuilding. 

The Seminars touched on the History of I.F.B.B and its extended reach around the world. 

The organization saw potential in Samoa and its people and how bodybuilding can further promote Healthy Lifestyle in the country and around the Pacific. 

It also looked at Nutritional values and although there is a lack of affordable options for Samoa, Mr. Stewart said that Samoa already has what it needs to build muscle and sustain energy only if you know what to do with it.

 They shared their knowledge on nutrition and dietary plans for a healthy lifestyle that suit our local situation. The seminars also touched on the basics of posing and judging for a competition and also how to train your body if you are getting ready to compete.

They believe that Samoa has great potential to once again build the sport up to its former glory.

They also have faith in the President of the Bodybuilding Federation of Samoa, Benjamin Tamanikaiyaroi and his committee. This is also a timely event as the B.B.F.S is planning its first competition in November and the I.F.B.B has indicated full support for the event.

“The President of the B.B.FS and his committee would like to extend his thank you to all those who supported the event; especially its major sponsors Taumeasina Resort and Mai Gym who gladly hosted the seminars at their locations and others who provided for the seminar one way or another.”