Wheelchair Champion
Waymon Tankersley

For many competitors, winning a bodybuilding contest is a step toward a milestone. For 30-year-old Waymon Tankersley, each step is a milestone.

Waymon was diagnosed with cerebral palsy when he was six months old. He wasn't able to walk until he was six years old. At the age of 18 he was informed that the State of Texas would no longer be able to pay for his physical therapy, so Waymon and his orthopedic specialists developed an "alternative" therapy: weight training.

"After a year they saw a lot of progress with my strength and flexibility," Waymon explained. "After four years they said, 'We can no longer help you. Now you're teaching us.'"

Waymon says the weight training has helped him with strength and coordination in his legs, enabling him to engage in activities such as skydiving, mountain climbing and rappelling. Only his goals of bicycling and roller skating have eluded his abilities.

His foray into bodybuilding began in 1998 "after a lot of talking and planning...it was a learning process all along the way," he explained. His first contest was at the Lackland in San Antonio, which proved to be a personal disappointment. Rather than throw in the towel, Waymon entered the Southwest Naturals last year and came away with a renewed desire to compete.

"Prince Harrison (the Southwest Naturals promoter) does a good job and places a lot of emphasis on both the competitors and the audience," he said. "And after the Heart of Texas (last fall) I borrowed five minutes of Betty Pariso's time. She listened. And now, after this event, Ed (Pariso) told me, 'We did this (the wheelchair division) for you, but we should have done this long ago. This is an untapped market.'"

Waymon captured first place honors in the wheelchair division at the 2000 North Texas/SW USA and gives credit to friends Gary Lemaster, Kenny Herndon and Kenny McRae, pastors Billy Simmons and Randy Levins, and his mother for helping him prepare and stay motivated for the most recent event.

He also gives a lot of credit to professional wheelchair competitor Victor Konovalov for promoting the sport on the national and international level.

Waymon's routine is similar to those of more "traditional" bodybuilders: He works each body part once a week and adjusts his diet as contest times approach.

"Sometimes I don't know my body's limitations," Waymon said. "It has a way of letting me know, especially my legs, which aren't as strong."

As for the future, Waymon hopes to continue competing for many years to come and leave a positive impact along the way.

"If someone in the audience thinks they can't do it, I'll beg to differ," Waymon said. "If I inspire someone to do something better, then I guess I've done something worthwhile. Always find the positive; work with what you have."