1999 Southwest NaturalsMen's Lightweight Open competitor Tony Roman
Many of the competitors in the Southwest Natural Bodybuilding Championships drove to the contest from other parts of the Dallas-Ft. Worth Metroplex, perhaps fighting the traffic on the LBJ Freeway or the construction zone around the downtown "mixmaster." On the other hand, lightweight open competitor Tony Roman's trip to the competition was a little more involved: his trip began in Puerto Rico.
So why did the 30-year-old Roman to make the journey to compete in the SW Naturals, the 27th competition of his decade-long bodybuilding career?
"I had met Prince Harrison (The SW Naturals promoter and owner of Optimum Fitness) at the 1997 NPC Nationals," Roman explained. "He told me I have a good career ahead of me. We stayed in contact, and I was highly interested in competing in one of his shows. I started preparing myself in February."
Roman finished third in what could easily be argued was the toughest class in the event.
"I did this show to quality for the Team Universe in New York City in August," Roman added. "It was a good experience."
Roman's bodybuilding career has included several events in the U.S., including a 7th place finish in the 1997 NPC Nationals as a bantamweight. He has also won his weight class in the Mr. Puerto Rico competition, and boasts a total of 22 first-place finishes throughout his career.
"I've been successful in my career as a bantamweight," Roman said. "Since I'm going up in weight, it's a new experience."
Roman competed at 153 pounds, just one pound under the lightweight limit.
"I've been competing for ten years and I have never used steroids," he explained. "My goal is to become a pro as a natural bodybuilder. If I can achieve the size and definition, I will go up in weight. It all depends on how my body responds."
Roman began eating lean beef this year and increased his fat intake slightly, since he is a "hard gainer" who finds symmetry and definition easier to achieve than additional mass. (His top off-season weight never exceeds 180 pounds as a 5-6 competitor.) His training regimen went from four days a week in the off-season to five days a week to prepare for the contest. He upped his aerobics slightly and continued his supplementation routine.
Roman lives in Carolina, Puerto Rico, on the island's northeast coast, where hurricanes occasionally batter the island in the late summer and fall. The warm, humid year-round climate, Roman said, is actually a benefit: hurricanes notwithstanding.
"The temperatures reach 90 to 95 degrees all year," he explained. "The temperature and the sun help keep me lean."
Roman works at the Westin Rio Mar resort and does personal training on the side. He works out at the Dynamic Power Gym and was sponsored by Fresh Mart Cafe. He is the only Puerto Rican competitor to do the Nationals in recent years, although he says there are "very good competitors" on the island.
Roman says sponsors help him defray the costs of travel to the mainland for his competitions, mostly in the East. On his recent trip to Texas he stayed with friends in Irving that he met while working at the Westin.
"They gave me a tour of the Dallas-Ft. Worth area, and I learned a lot," he said. "The competition was very well organized. Overall, it was a good experience."
Roman summed up where he wants to be and what he wants to do as a bodybuilder.
"I'm well known in Puerto Rico as a natural competitor," he said. "I'm looking for a chance to compete again at the national level and become a natural pro athlete, and maybe model bodybuilding clothing."
With excellent symmetry and a polished posing routine, Roman will likely be on the bodybuilding stage for years to come.
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