| Rules & Regulations September 15, 2002
Dress for Success
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CBBF Chief Judging
Official Debbie Karpenko has valuable insight along with years of top-level judging
experience.
(photo June 2002) |
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The old saying "dress for success"
applies equally to the world of fitness. Perhaps even more so when you consider the
majority of judging criteria is based on your "overall" package, which includes
what you wear. Who better to explain the importance of stage gear than the lady who
ultimately decides and enforces it?
Debbie Karpenko, chief judging official for the CBBF,
admits she is no stranger to the world of bodybuilding and fitness. "I’m a
fossil," she jokes, adding she has been involved with both sports for nearly 20
years. Debbie made her debut as test judge for a Manitoba bodybuilding show in 1983. At
that point, the sport of fitness was unheard of in Canada. In fact, it wasn’t until
the early 1990s that Ben Weider decided to introduce it to the IFBB. Since then, Debbie
has played a major role in developing fitness into what it is today.
"It was rather difficult for the first couple of
years," she says. "But looking back we are very proud of our competitors and
must be doing something right. After all, our girls are finishing in the top 10 at the
Worlds."
Debbie says as the sport has evolved, so too have the rules
and regulations.
She says executives of the CBBF take general direction from
the IFBB, but tailor the rules to suit the needs of Canadian athletes. She admits certain
rules do not always work out. "When we implement a rule, we think it is in the best
interest of the athletes. Our first goal is to be fair. In hindsight, we might not always
make the right decision, but we are always open to going back and making the necessary
changes to improve things."
One of the newest rules set out by the CBBF deals with the
minimum length of shorts worn by fitness competitors. Debbie says shorts must be one inch
below the cheek-line in order for athletes to wear them on stage. "All of our rules
are based on good taste. Fitness is a respectable sport and we want it to be perceived
that way," she says, adding she also has no desire to see the buttocks of
competitors.
Like other rules for the sport, the length of shorts was
tailored from a regulation passed down from the IFBB at the World Fitness Championships in
2001. But, as Debbie explains, the CBBF regulation is more defined for athletes than the
original version with the intent of creating a lot less confusion. "When the rule was
introduced by the IFBB, they did not have a specific measurement. If they felt a pair of
shorts was too short, there was nothing a competitor could say or do -- she had to
comply." Debbie went on to explain that a well-known Canadian fitness competitor
arrived at the Worlds and was told she had to wear spandex under her shorts. She had no
choice but to comply.
Debbie says the maximum repercussion for not following
guidelines is disqualification, but stresses this is only under extreme circumstances. A
competitor’s attire, including her shorts, is inspected at registration of an event.
If it does not comply with the CBBF standards (one inch below the cheek-line) the
competitor will be told not to wear the shorts to the competition. If the competitor does
not comply, she will be asked to leave the stage. Debbie explains at this point she will
go backstage to explain to the competitor why she was asked to leave the stage. If the
competitor does not change outfits at this point, she could be disqualified from the show.
"I don’t typically like to resort to that,"
says Debbie. "I see how much hard work has gone into contest preparation and I will
do everything I can to help competitors understand the rules."
Debbie explains that all the guidelines are intended to
create fairness amongst competitors, to develop standard guidelines, and to promote
fitness as a respectable sport. Debbie attributes the increasing popularity of fitness to
its entertainment value. Although she says entertainment is taken into consideration when
implementing guidelines, the best interests of athletes is always a top concern.
"There is a fine line between entertainment and the rules of fitness," she says.
"We will never do anything we feel could upset a competitor’s regiment."
In terms of other routine-round attire, Debbie says it is
pretty straightforward. The top half of a routine costume must cover enough of
the competitor's chest so it does not become exposed during the
routine. She explains that although the majority of competitors wear shoes
for their performance, there are no set rules to enforce this. She adds that
competitors are not required to wear their badge during the routine round (for safety
reasons). Props are permitted, however, they must be approved at the time of registration.
In terms of two-piece attire for the physique round -- the
rules are slightly different. First off, a competitor must wear her badge number.
Debbie says it should be worn on the left-hand side of the bikini bottom. Two-piece
bikinis can’t be attached in any way, again as a means of standardizing stage-wear
and creating fairness amongst competitors.
Debbie explains that the top of a two-piece suit must cover
one half of the competitor’s breast -- preventing any "unwanted exposure"
is the main reason for this rule. Accessories are permitted, but Debbie warns they should
only be used to accentuate features, not distract judges.
As for footwear in the physique round, the only definite
rule is that they must be high-heeled shoes. Having said that, Debbie adds that it is
important for a competitor to know her own body and dress to flatter her physique.
Debbie applies this "know your body philosophy"
for all stage-wear. She suggests choosing the color and cut that best compliments your
physique, symmetry, hair and skin tone, and personality.
She also stresses the importance of one other key element
for on-stage attire: confidence! "Practice makes perfect," Debbie says.
"When a competitor holds herself as being very confident, it is very noticeable on
the stage and judges can tell." She also stresses that fitness, just like
bodybuilding, is based on human judgment, and what one judge might like, might not appeal
to another. "It is important to keep that in mind," Debbie says.
If you have any questions about stage attire or other
regulations set out by the CFFB, contact Debbie Karpenko at debbiek@cbbf.net.
...Denyse Johnson
denyse@seriousaboutfitness.com |
