Competing for the 31st time in his career, local bodybuilder Rob Robson finished second in the Masters Division at the Musclemania American Championships in Las Vegas on Nov. 22.
Robson was one of three bodybuilders that competed in the Masters Division, which was open to men over the age of 40. Ray Crumpler won the division title, Robson finished second, and Tracy Teitelbaum finished third.
“I wanted to win really bad,” said Robson. “I was pretty disappointed, but at the same time, I was in great shape.”
To prepare for the championships, Robson trained for 12 weeks. During that time, he lifted for 1½ hours and worked on his cardio for two to three hours nearly every day.
Robson also followed a strict diet consisting of eggs, oatmeal, broccoli, fish fillets, chicken breasts and green beans. The veteran bodybuilder described the diet as grueling.
“When you’re on a diet like that, it’s a matter of passing the time,” said Robson. “I don’t eat anything that I want to eat for 12 weeks.”
After arriving in Las Vegas two days before the championships, Robson put final touches on his tan and painted his body with the help of his son, Robby. He then walked along the Las Vegas to pass the time.
On Nov. 22, Robson performed eight mandatory poses in the morning and completed a 90-second routine in the evening. He said that after finishing the competition, he believed he might have won.
I was the most ripped and the most symmetrical, but the winner huge,” said Robson. “You never know exactly what the judges are looking for. Sometimes they look for big muscles, and sometimes they like the ripped and symmetrical look.”
Robson plans to compete in the Muscle Mania “Mr. Universe” event, which is held in Florida every June. Robson competed in the event in 2011 and took fourth in his division.
“I’d like to improve on my fourth-place finish,” said Robson.
Robson added that he would like to thank the Mountain Hair Co. and the Ute Mountain Tribe for helping to make his competitions possible.