NPC Grand Rapids Championship 59 Gallery: NPC Grand Rapids Championship



GRANDVILLE, MI -- A hush of anticipation hovered over the crowd at the Grandville High School auditorium Saturday as IFBB pro Kai Greene's name was announced.

Known for his off-the-cuff and entertaining posing routines, the internationally known bodybuilder slowly stalked out on stage, singing along to the words from a Dru Hill R&B song with fans shouting encouragement to him.

What followed could best be described as a mix of slow dancing with bodybuilding poses, breakdancing and even a headstand, all to the crowd's delight.

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Runner up in the 2012 Mr. Olympia contest, Greene said he takes the energy provided by the fans to continue his quest to compete for bodybuilding's top spot.

"Thanks so much for all your support," Greene said after performing an encore. "I'm so grateful for the love you show. My dream is still intact, my goal is still ahead of me, I'm inspired and I thank all of you who have come out and have helped me with that."

More than 200 competitors took to the stage focusing on their own dreams Saturday.

Robert Harris of Wyoming took the men's overall open class bodybuilding title as a middleweight.

"It feels great because I know overall it's about conditioning," Harris said. "It's not about how big or small you are, it's about conditioning.

"Every time I compete I try to condition as best as I can that way if I don't win I know I did everything I could possibly do to the best of my ability," Harris said. "I know there are guys out there that are bigger, but for me it's about overall symmetry."

Taking the overall in the novice division was Curtis Thomas.

"I feel great, it's my first year bodybuilding," Thomas said. "It was fun, I got to battle with the big boys."

Thomas said he's always had a fairly well developed upper body, so he's taken pride in making gains in his legs.

"I work real hard on my legs," Thomas said. "My coach has been beating them up and giving me different workouts to get them bigger, so it's working out."



Follow Cory Olsen on Twitter or email him at colsen@mlive.com

