Natural Bodybuilding in Canberra: Results from the Inaugural Mr & Ms Elysium

Natural bodybuilding in Canberra reached a historic milestone on 2nd November 2025 with the launch of the very first Mr & Ms Elysium. This was not just another contest — it was the birth of a new tradition, a title forged to stand as the pinnacle of natural bodysport.

Unlike competitions that borrow names from other federations or eras, NatBod set out to create something original: Elysium — a crown inspired by the Golden Era’s legacy yet designed to grow into a globally recognised symbol of excellence. Just as the great contests of the bodybuilding world took years to build prestige, Elysium begins its journey here. Canberra was the stage for the first step, but the vision stretches far beyond: a title that will one day echo across the world as the ultimate measure of natural bodybuilding greatness.

The atmosphere was electric, the crowd knew they were witnessing history, and every athlete who stepped onto the stage became part of a legacy-in-the-making. This was more than a competition — it was the dawn of a new era.

Posing & Performance — Where Muscle Meets Art

Before the battles of mass and symmetry unfolded, the stage became a canvas. NatBod reminded the world that bodybuilding is more than muscle — it’s artistry, rhythm, and storytelling.

• Posing Routines & Doubles Routines: Judged on flow, creativity, and performance — echoes of the Golden Era when posing was poetry in motion.
• Fitness Journey Transformations: Inspiring tales of grit and change, proving bodybuilding is as much about the journey as the destination.
• Guest Posers: Professionals stepping up to electrify the crowd, using their platform to push the sport forward.

Winners:

• Men’s Posing Routine — Lachlan Tong
• Doubles Posing Routine — Georgia Feben & Ben Rogers
• Women’s Posing Routine — Georgia Feben
• Fitness Journey Transformations — Kathy Knight & Ruth Galea
• Pro Guest Posers — Marcus Koh & James Hume

Men’s Classical Bodybuilding — The Golden Era Reborn

This division was pure nostalgia — a throwback to the legends of the 70s and 80s. Here, every detail mattered: proportion, muscularity, conditioning, and posing. No shortcuts, no gimmicks — just bodybuilding in its purest form.

Division Winners:

• Junior U20: Samuel Wise
• Junior U25: Aidan Brooke
• Masters Over 55: John Georgopoulos
• Masters Over 45: Melvin Balderrama
• Masters Over 35: Ben Rogers
• Rookie: Arun Jintoorkar
• Open Under 175cm: Melvin Balderrama
• Open Over 175cm: Arun Jintoorkar
• Overall Amateur Champion: Arun Jintoorkar
• Pro Card Winners: Arun Jintoorkar & Aidan Brooke

Men’s Athletic Bodysculpting — The Modern Warrior Division

Forget boardshorts and minimal posing — NatBod rewrote the script. This division brought athletic flair: gym wear shorts, shoes, expanded posing, and a height-to-weight limit to keep the battlefield fair. It was muscle sculpted with precision, artistry, and athletic grit.

Division Winners:

• Rookie: Blake Lawton
• Masters: Abhilash Mukundan
• Open: Lachlan Tong
• Overall Amateur Champion: Blake Lawton (Pro Card Winner)

Women’s Classical Bodybuilding — Strength & Elegance

The women’s divisions were a salute to the pioneers of the 1980s who fought for recognition. Here, the stage belonged to athletes who combined power, grace, and artistry — proving that natural bodybuilding is a sport where women stand shoulder to shoulder with men.

Division Winners:

• Junior — Maia Collins
• Rookie — Elizabeth Sturman
• Masters Over 55 — Sherryn Pitt
• Masters Over 45 — Robina Steele
• Open — Robina Steele
• Overall Amateur Champion — Robina Steele (Pro Card Winner)

Pro Divisions — The Titans of Bodysport

This was the big league — the cream of the crop, the gladiators of natural bodybuilding. Unlike amateurs, pros don’t pay membership or entry fees; they step onto the stage as recognised champions, competing for prestige and prize money. At Elysium, $500 mega cheques were on the line — a nod to the professional prestige of the sport.

Division Winners:

• Pro Men’s Athletic Bodysculpting — Solova Taufa
• Pro Men’s Classical Bodybuilding — Michael Hook

Integrity First — Drug Testing

NatBod’s commitment to integrity was on full display. A number of athletes were drug tested at the event, and every competitor tested returned clean results. This reinforced the federation’s mission: natural bodybuilding is about discipline, artistry, and transformation — never shortcuts.

Capturing the Moment

The unforgettable images of the inaugural Mr & Ms Elysium were captured by Nithin from Gym & Glamour Photography, whose lens preserved the artistry, emotion, and triumph of the day.

Legacy in Motion: Natural Bodybuilding in Canberra

The inaugural Mr & Ms Elysium was a contest report straight out of the Golden Era playbook — artistry, muscle, and community all under one roof. Canberra 2025 will be remembered as the moment bodysport stepped into its next chapter, blending old-school tradition with modern innovation.

For those seeking the true spirit of natural bodybuilding in Canberra, the Mr & Ms Elysium has set the benchmark — a show that proves discipline, artistry, and transformation will always stand the test of time.

What’s Next?

The journey doesn’t stop here. Check out our upcoming contest calendar to see where NatBod Bodysport heads next, and be part of the growing legacy.

Join the community:

• Facebook Group — connect with athletes, coaches, and fans
• Instagram Page — follow the artistry, stories, and highlights