Category Archives: Fitness

Kumite Classic Fitness America, Figure America, Bikini America, and MuscleMania Pittsburgh

16 years strong

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16th annual kumite classic

The Pittsburgh Fitness Expo is celebrating it’s 16  year anniversary in 2015! Come out and visit the region’s only expo dedicated to action sports, health, wellness, fitness and martial arts.  It’s non-stop action all weekend!

Pittsburgh Fitness Expo ad

The Kumite Classic is Pittsburgh’s most established and largest fitness, sports, and martial arts expo.  The media has dubbed The Kumite Classic fitness expo as a “One stop shop for everything fitness.” The expo showcases the latest fitness products, exercise equipment, sports gear, clothing, nutritional supplements, health foods, and cutting edge cosmetic advancements.

The general public can meet & greet with celebrities, professional athletes, Olympic champions, and fitness icons. The expo highlights sports performance athletes, strength competitors, and fitness experts though a multitude of athletic skills competitions and world class sport championships.

The multifaceted expo is surrounded by “non-stop action” playing host to simultaneous championships, competitions, and demonstrations in one expansive area for spectators to enjoy. The audience is one of the most diverse (demographic & geographic) in the fitness industry attracting fans from over 15 different sports. The prestigious Kumite Classic brand is synonymous with athletic excellence.

 

 

Vince Brasco AKA Mini Hulk

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The Pittsburgh Fitness Expo and Kumite Classic are proud to have Vince Brasco as a special inspirational speaker Saturday May 24th at the Monroeville Convention Center.  If you believe… you can achieve!

The Biography on Vince “Mini Hulk” Brasco:

Born with achondroplasia, a common form of dwarfism, Vince has had overcome extreme physical challenges to be where he is today, including 15 surgeries, one of which he almost lost his life. Some of these include meniscus surgery, a spinal fusion and decompression to which he lost 5 liters of blood, and neck surgery performed by Dr. Benjamin Carson. He’s suffered from kyphosis, to which the spine angles outward, requiring the use of a brace worn 24 hours a day from the time he was 6 months old until he was four. He couldn’t walk until he was over the age of two years old due to complications of his dwarfism. He had to use oxygen just as long, as well.  Standing at just 4’1”, Vince has placed first in his division for weightlifting twice, with the first being during the Pittsburgh Monster Meet Bench Press in April of 2013 for bench pressing 245 and only weighing 92 pounds, and the second at the Kumite Classic in May of the same year, pressing 255 and weighing 94 pounds. Don’t tell him he can’t overcome something. “It’s not about how much weight you can push or how strong you are physically, but what does matter is how big your heart is and how dedicated you are. Never give up and keep working at your goals. Believe.” He says. He’s at the gym 4 to 5 days a week and spends 3 to 4 hours each time. He spends time in the sauna to detoxify his body, and makes sure he makes healthy choices with his meals. He knows that those with achondroplasia suffer from unique physical difficulties, but it not an excuse to surrender and not care for yourself. When he is at the gym he will modify equipment for him so he can use certain things. For example when he is working out his legs he needs to put two plates on the seat so he can reach the sled. Doing this makes him able to do the exercise the right way on the leg press.  “Get active. Also if you do not like your height or how long your limbs are, tough, it is the way God has made you. There is always a purpose for everyone in life. No matter that they are, Tall or short, big or small.” In 2011, he was featured in the Huffington Post and the Mirror UK as the world’s smallest firefighter, ignoring those who questioned his ability to do what he needed to do. Just the same, and again because of the resilience that is as much a part of him as his dwarfism, Vince was also able to ignore bullying in high school and thumb his nose at anyone telling him he can’t do something. “Do not consider his appearance or his height for the lord looks at the heart.” Samuel 16:7 is tattooed on his chest. If there’s anyone that knows Vince, his stature and the size of his heart are diametrically opposed. Supported by his loving family, and dedicated friends in the community and coworkers, Vince knows that the biggest deterrent to any goal is himself. He’s pushed his own limits, ignored negative self-talk, and relied on his faith to pull him through the difficult times where he questions his ability.

He is currently employed at Best Buy in Tarentum, Pa, and is attending classes at ITT Tech Tarentum for Computer Networking. He will be competing at his first body building show on May 3rd in the Mr. Pittsburgh at the Soldiers and Sailors memorial in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  He will follow up with a visit the Kumite Classic and Pittsburgh Fitness Expo May 23-24th at the Monroeville Convention Center.

Vince gives alot of credit to his coach Tad who is influencing him with dieting right, training right, practice posing, and getting into his head about how he can never give up.  Tad Inoue aka the Diet Coach is in his corner.

Ambassador Judges

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The Ambassador Classic is lead by Former Mr. USA & Mr. World Dave Hawk. Hawk is an industry leading fitness professional who has been involved with the Kumite Classic since 2005 with the introduction of the Ultimate Teen Challenge.  Hawk has enlisted some of Pittsburgh’s most experienced fitness judges and trainers to help select the next “Brand Ambassador.”

Head Judge:  Stasi Longo
Stasi Longo (Kumite Classic & NEAC Ambassador Classic Head Judge, Fitness, Bodybuilding & Figure). We are blessed to have Stasi as part of the Kumite Classic team. Her experience is world class, and she is a great ambassador of the Pittsburgh bodybuilding and figure community.  Stasi is certified through the National Federation of Professional Trainers (NFPT) and has managed health clubs and fitness centers all over the tri-state area since 1978. She has over 30 years of experience in developing and administering personalized fitness training programs for every type of client, from beginners to professional athletes. She is owner of Sonshine Fitness.  Stasi has coached many local, national and pro level bodybuiling, fitness, figure, model, and bikini champions.  Stasi graduated Cum Laude from Slippery Rock State College. She completed the Nautilus Sports Medical Industries Training and Management program in Lakeland, Florida. In addition, she was  a  World Natural Bodybuilding Federation (WNBF) professional bodybuilder; an American Natural Bodybuilding Conference (ANBC) professional bodybuilder. Stasi placed 4th in the WNBF Pro World Championships in 1999 and 2000. She placed 2nd in the 2000 WNBF Pro International Championships and 5th at the 2001 WNBF Pro Internationals. Stasi is the 1998 WNBF Pro Natural Miss Universe Overall Champion; the 1997 National Gym Association (NGA) All-American Heavyweight Champion; the 1995 NGA All-American Overall Master’s Champion; the 1994 ANBC PRO 3rd place winner; the 1991 ANBC Pittsburgh Overall Champion; the 1991 National Physique Council (NPC) Pittsburgh Heavyweight Champion and she holds numerous other titles.

Stasi has served as a competition head judge since 1991. She is an IFPA Pro Head  Judge (Bodybuilding/Figure) a Head Judge and Head National Judge for the OCB, (Bodybuilding/Figure/Ms. Fitness/Fitness Modeling, Bikini), Head and Pro Judge for the NGA, (Bodybuilding/Figure/Fitness), Head Judge for MUSCLEMANIA (Bodybuilding/Figure/Bikini/Fitness America/Model America). She has also served as Head Judge for the INBF, ANBC and NABF.

Stasi has been featured in numerous news and magazine articles, locally, nationally and internationally.  Stasi is a regular featured guest on Pittsburgh television talk shows due to her natural bodybuilding achievements, fitness, diet & nutrition knowledge and expertise.

Stasi was honored in 2010 to be voted “One of the Greatest Natural Female Bodybuilders of All Time” on www.bodybuilderexaminer.com  Contact 724-942-befit  412-551-6836 stasi.longo@aol.com

James Deighan
James is the head trainer out of Lifeforce Fitness Center.   James Deighan is a personal trainer, lifetime natural bodybuilder, powerlifter, and NAS strongman competitor. James also holds RAW, drug free powerlifting records in the ADAU. James has judged natural bodybuilding, figure and fitness competitions for the OCB, NANBF, NGA, Muscle Mania and IFPA. Inquire about customized nutritional programs, body composition analysis, or contest preparation services within!
Mike Mutschler is an IFPA Pro Natural Bodybuilder.  He was the 2004 OCB Yorton Cup Nationals Overall winner, 2010 Natural Mr. Steel City (Masters) and a proud father of three.   Mike has competed in bodybuilding for over twenty years and has judged natural bodybuilding, figure and fitness competitions for the OCB, NGA, and Muscle Mania.

Frank Williams:

Frank Williams is the co-owner of Sterling Yoga located in Dormont and a personal trainer. Frank has competed in powerlifting and bodybuilding since 1988. He is an ADFPA deadlift nationals champion and was the runner up in the 1997 APF bench press nationals. Frank switched to bodybuilding in 2002 and won numerous titles in the NABF, the ANBC and the OCB. Frank earned an IFPA  Masters Pro card  in 2009. Frank has judged bodybuilding and figure competitions for the OCB and the NANBF.

FrankWilliams

Cheryl Szarmach

I am a mother of 5 children and 2 grandchildren.   I am a Natural For Life IFPA Professional bodybuilder since 2007.  I have also received pro status as well in the WNBF and the NGA .     I placed 2nd at the Yorton Pro Cup World Championship in 2009 and have competed in over 5 amateur competitions, taking first place in them all and in over 11 professional national and international competitions, placing in 9 and making top 5 in 2.  Most recent activity was taking 1st place in the Professional Womens Bodybuilding division at  the 2013 Kumite Classic.  I have been judging bikini/figure/physique/bodybuilding since  2008.

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Mark Kuhn
Mark, known as “Mr Personality” for his unique body building posing routines. Mark is currently competing in the 60+ Masters Divisions where he consistently places in the top three. Winning his division and best poser at the 2013 Natural Pittsburgh Championships. Along with competing, Mark has judged numerous natural body building shows including figure, physique, and bikini classes.

mark kuhn

Jeanne Dana

Jeanne is an elementary physical education teacher at  Maplewood Schools in
Trumbull County in Ohio. She has been involved in the exercise and health
industries since 1983. Jeanne began teaching aerobic classes as a sophomore in
high school and over a 22 year period, she instructed high/low aerobics, step,
slide, and spinning. She taught classes at 3 local gyms and numerous  school
teams including Yougstown State University Football. During those years, Jeanne
held certifications for the respective classes that she instructed. In 2005,
Jeanne enter her first figure competition, The Texas Shredder, and placed in the
top five. Since then she has competed in several amateur shows in the INBF, OCB,
And NGA. Also, Jeanne has been judging bikini/figure/physique/bodybuilding in
the INBF, OCB, NGA, and the Kumite since 2006.

 

Ambassador Classic

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Dave Hawk’s Ambassador Northeast Classic May 23rd 2015 (2015 Info posted soon) at the Kumite Classic Bodybuilding, fitness, figure, bikini, physique. It’s more than a competition its a career opportunity!  

Welcome to the first BioRythm North East Ambassador Classic at the GNC Pittsburgh Fitness Expo hosted by Muscle and Body Magazine.

The North East Ambassador Classic is a revolutionary non-sanctioned fitness concept that transforms a traditional competition into a mainstream branding opportunity.  Athletes will showcase their physiques in an effort to gain instant fame by earning a regional brand ambassadorship. The North East Ambassador Classic is looking for the NEXT fitness role model through a fun and exciting one day competition that display not only your hard work and dedication in the gym but also your ability to sell and market yourself in an ever growing industry.

The Top Place Winners in the North East Ambassador Classic will not only win great awards, but winners will be featured in an upcoming issue of GNC’s Muscle and Body Magazine reaching 1.2 million people nationally in print and 8 million digitally.

Our winners also get the opportunity to experience and represent BioRythm, Muscle and Body and Key GNC Franchise Stores “Meet and Greet Appearances” in the Pittsburgh and or surrounding area.      

Similar to standard judging of Modern Bodybuilding, Physique, Figure, Fitness and Bikini. Here are our guidelines for the competition.

jason janov

Maxim Hottie in the House

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dessie mitcheson hot 100

Dessie Mitcheson was in the house at the 2013 Kumite Classic to judge to help crown Miss Kumite Classic at the Model Pittsburgh Pageant.  She holds the prestigious honor of being named to Maxim’s exclusive Hot 100 List!

Congrats to former Kumite Classic model champion Dessie Mitcheson for making the Maxim Hot Top 100 sexiest women in the world http://www.maxim.com/hot100/2013  Representing Pittsburgh worldwide!

dessie mitcheson maxim

To see more beautiful women visit the Kumite Classic May 24-25th for our annual model search and model competitions.

 

Model Search Winners

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nick bateman with winners

Pittsburgh Model Search Winners at the 2012 Kumite Classic. Judged by international model and movie star Nick Bateman (Ontario, Canada) and national recording artist Ambtition (Pittsburgh, PA) Winners can be found in Physique 3D Magazine.

Male Division Chuck Mauceri

Female Division Stephanie Snyder

Chuck Mauceri: Solon, Ohio  
Former Kumite Classic Natural Body Building Overall Champion
Owner Mauceri Private Fitness llc (11 years)
Strength and Conditioning Coach Notre Dame College
Strength and Conditioning Coach Chanel High School
Strength and Conditioning Coach Brecksville High School
B.A. exercise science (fitness management, sports management)
He has been competing in bodybuilding for 9 years and is a proud father of two children.
His wife is a npc figure competitor
Stephanie Snyder: Pittsburgh, PA
Occupation: Student and fitness model
Stephanie is currently a full time student at La Roche College. As a senior she is finishing up her marketing degree and would love to get into Pharmaceutical Sales while pursuing a fitness career. She has always been athletic excelling in soccer and swimming. “I decided to join the modeling industry and from there on added in fitness! I love feeling healthy and great about my looks. I joined Team Bombshell and just began competing. I see where my hard where can take me and I will be dedicated through the ‘off season’. There is no such thing”

Rising Star

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Darrian Tissenbaum is a young up and coming talent on the fitness scene. Representing the Pittsburgh area, she has set her sights on making an impact at the Fitness American and Fitness Universe Pageants in 2012. Look for her routine at the Kumite Classic later this year.

Fitness Competition

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Aubrey Worek and Darrian Tissenbaum on the main stage.

Fitness America Pageant Pittsburgh, PA.  Kumite Classic Champion Aubrey Worek

Background on Aubrey Worek, Pittsburgh, PA

Education:  B.S.  Exercise Science; Minor 1:  Dance; Minor 2: Gerontology; Slippery Rock University. Occupation:  President and founder of Wellness Solutions at Work, Inc.  Corporate Wellness Company (www.wellnesssolutionsatwork.com).  Aubrey is a sponsored fitness competitor & ambassador through Cathy Savage Fitness (www.cathysavagefitness.com).

I implement worksite wellness/fitness programs for large employer groups.  I strive to improve the health and well-being of the employee population in order to increase work productivity, decrease their amount of sick days and lower their overall health care costs.

I have been competing with Fitness America for the past 4 years.  In that time I placed in the Top 10 at FAP Vegas 2008 and 6th Place at FAP Miami 2009.  I placed 4th in the Fitness America NY Show 2010.   In May 2011, I place 1st in the Kumite Classic, FAP.

The first year I competed, I placed 1st in Bikini America short-class & 4th in Fitness at the Kumite Classic in Pittsburgh, 2007.  I had such a great time that it has inspired me to continue to compete…primarily because I enjoy performing and being on stage; I also love meeting new people from across the U.S. and across the world at these events.  We all have common interests and passions.  Competing in Fitness allows me to fulfill my desire to entertain and enables me to strive to be in the best shape I can be.

I have earned many health and fitness certifications with the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA).  I have a diverse background in teaching group fitness classes, such as BodyPump, BodyCombat, Spinning, Zumba and YogaFit.  Fitness is truly my passion and I have made it a successful career!

Lifetime Ambitions  I am working towards becoming a successful fitness-model and am in the process of opening my own Yoga and Dance studio in 2012.

I feel that every time I step on stage, I am a winner.  I believe in myself and strive to be a true inspiration to all women who dream big and desire to achieve more.  I feel that my hard-work and determination have brought me so far; however, I have not done this alone.  Thanks to family, friends, my husband and personal trainer, I am here today.  I truly believe I am only competing against myself.  The moment I step on stage, I know I have won – I have done my best, and really, that’s all that matters to me!

One of my main goals in life is to help empower women of all shapes, sizes, races and ages to build their confidence and reach their fitness and business goals.  Above all else, I wish to maintain healthy relationships with my supportive husband and my loving family and friends.  I recently got married on 11.11.11. in theCaribbean!

She’s a knockout

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Dessie Mitcheson took home the Kumite Classic Model America crown in 2011. The Kiski Area High School grad is making her mark in the modeling industry. Dessie is a new face of Playboy Intimates and a Miss Tropic Beauty, Las Vegas.

Dessie Mitcheson Recent calendar work includes: Tropicbeauty swimsuit calendar, Matco Tool and Burgh babe cover model. You can see her in magazines such as Belle Morte, Gladys, Smokescreen, Allaboutbikes.

Dessie Mitcheson on stage at the Kumite Classic