The Ramstein Bodybuilding and Fitness Team dominated the fourth annual European Bodybuilding and Figure Championship held Aug. 27 at Kelley Theatre on U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart.
The team took home first place in every category except for women’s figure short where they took home third.
“We didn’t come down there for anything short of what we did,” said Staff Sgt. Sidreakus Lindsey, 86th Civil Engineer Squadron Airman dorm leader and team lead. “We went to Stuttgart to represent Ramstein, and that is what we did.”
The eight-person team was individually judged on muscularity, symmetry, conditioning and routine. Not only did the team take first in every category but one, they also took home the awards for overall body building in men and women and overall in women’s figure category.
“Winning this competition validated all of our hard work,” said Lt. Col. Erinn Hardaway, 21st Theater Sustainment Command, 1st Human Resources Sustainment Center and only Soldier on the team. “We worked hard to get here. It’s like all of our hard work paid off.”
Senior Airman Kwesi Keller, 86th Aerospace Medicine Squadron public health technician, said bodybuilding is more than just working out.
“To do this sport you have to have a desire and a passion,” said Keller. “It is an art form. We are taking the art form and making the most out of our potential.”
The team agreed the day before the competition was more nerve racking than the day of the event. For Staff Sgt. Lateeah Morrell, 76th Airlift Squadron resource adviser and first place winner in women’s figure tall category and first place overall women’s figure category, being on stage was an adrenaline rush.
“Once you get on stage all of the nerves go away,” Morrell said. “You just get out there and do your thing.”
Hardaway says the team has a certain mindset when in competition.
“Our mindset is this, I have first place. The competitors are battling for second and third.”