Osan Airmen compete in bodybuilding showcase

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Sergio A. Gamboa
  • 51st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  Airmen from Osan Air Base participated in the 2019 Amateur Olympia Korea competition at Incheon City, Republic of Korea, April 28, 2019.

The amateur competition is held every year throughout different locations, which provides contestants the opportunity to vie for a pro card, or ticket, into the professional level of the competition.

“I’ve been competing for about four years now and the environment in this one was great,” said Staff Sgt. Daniel Thompson, 6th Intelligence Squadron geospatial intelligence analyst and native of Atlanta, Georgia. “Getting to meet so many international competitors was a rewarding experience. A few lessons were learned and a few things I will do differently for the next time.”

Competitors are judged on different categories such as conditioning, symmetry and muscularity to determine winners in different classes.

Thompson competed in the open Men’s Physique class and finished in the top eight of 25 competitors.

Tech. Sgt. Quinton Gittens, 51st Force Support Squadron NCO in charge of community programs and partnership, outshined his competition in the novice Men’s Physique class.

“At first I was a little nervous, but as the day progressed it got better,” Gittens said. “The entire time I had doubts. I was one of the smallest guys on the stage, so it was very hard for me to find confidence. I didn’t think I was going to win, but then I heard my name indicating I took first place in my category. At the end, the hard work payed off. I’m just glad it turned out the way it did.”

Tech. Sgt. Jasmine Spruill, 51st FSS NCO in charge of special programs and native of Woodridge, Virginia, took home second place in the Women’s Bikini division.

Though the Airmen did not receive pro cards, they remained resilient and went home with a positive outlook and their heads held high.

“Each day of prep was a small accomplishment and knowing that I stayed true to my diet and workout routine day in and day out was a massive accomplishment,” Thompson said. “I’m walking away from this one without a pro card, but trophies or medals don’t matter as long as you’re improving and having a good time. With anything in life, give it your all in whatever you put your focus on. Reaching personal objectives greatly outweigh material rewards and regardless of where you end up, if you reach personal goals you’ve succeeded.”

Spruill shared the sentiment.

“Hard work comes with sacrifice and discipline,” she said. “Make those sacrifices because it’s worth it in the end.”