ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, January 22, 1997 TAG: 9701220017
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
COLUMN: Community sports
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG
SOURCE: ANGIE WATTS STAFF WRITER
Visit any local gym across the country and it's evident that exercise is in. Despite today's medical technology, people have finally realized the only way to get in shape is to get out there and do it.
That was the original plan for 34-year-old Johnna Carter when she joined the Weight Club, a Blacksburg gymnasium, in 1992.
"I started out powerlifting because I just wanted to get back in shape," Carter said. "I liked the challenge and liked watching my body change. I feel healthier. Even with the schedule I have, I don't feel run down."
With the encouragement of her husband, Curtis, who runs his own personal training business out of the Weight Club, Johnna continued to improve her symmetry and definition. In addition to working a full-time job and raising 12-year-old daughter Ashley Burks, Johnna found time for intense workouts at least five days a week.
She dove headfirst into bodybuilding. She emerged a champion.
After capturing the lightweight title at the AAU of Miss America contest Sept. 14, Johnna was invited to participate in the French Natural Body Building Championships Dec. 14 in Paris.
"I have to thank my sponsors for helping me even get there," Johnna said. "The Weight Club, the United Autoworkers Local 269, my family and everyone else who helped me raise the money to go."
Competing with bodybuilders from six other countries, the 5-foot-11/2-inch, 106-pound Carter walked away with the lightweight national championship.
"I don't get a chance to watch her perform often because I'm usually backstage," Curtis said. "But there is this one part in her routine where she does a headstand, and it makes me nervous every time she does it. I cringe ... but she says it's the most natural thing."
"He used not to be able to even watch," Johnna added with a smile.
The competition in Paris was the just the eighth for Johnna, who says time off between competitions has helped her.
"A lot of people like to compete all the time, but I put too much into it to do show after show," Johnna said. "The time off really helps, too. In 1994, Curtis suggested I take a year off from competing to make gains, and I did. When I came back in '95, I won the Junior America competition."
Johnna now aspires to the world championship in December in Belgium, the only title still eluding Johnna in natural bodybuilding competitions. Every competition Johnna participates in has drug testing prior to the event. Such is not the case for professional competitions such as Mr. and Ms. Olympia, where drug tests have never been used.
"The [world championship] is the only show she has left as an amateur or she'd have to try to turn pro," Curtis said. "But it's hard for a competitor like Johnna, who is drug-free, to go to one of their shows where no drug tests are given."
Curtis, 34, retired from natural bodybuilding in 1991 after suffering a back injury and broken wrist. In addition to his personal training business, he also sponsors the New River Valley Open, a local competition sanctioned by the AAU as a national qualifier.
Before his injury, Curtis participated in more than 100 competitions, dating back to his days as a teen-ager. In his final competition, the Commonwealth Games, he captured the gold medal in the light/heavy division.
"For me at the point I got injured, I had spent so much money on the sport I didn't see any reason to do any more because I wasn't 100 percent," Curtis said. "So I did what other retired football and basketball players do ... you go to coaching to keep yourself in the sport and help with its promotion."
Now his prize pupil is also his wife.
If you have an idea for a story or note about recreational sports, call Angie Watts at 381-1677 in Montgomery County or Radford; (800)346-1234, ext. 677, elsewhere; or fax 381-1656.
LENGTH: Medium: 74 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: Johnna Carter had never planned on becoming aby CNBcompetitive bodybuilder. color.