By Lynn Venhaus
It’s all about what muscular development looks like, and not testing physical strength, when bodybuilding takes center stage at the historic Lincoln Theatre in downtown Belleville Saturday, Aug. 15.
Iron Man magazine is presenting the INBA PNBA Mid America Championship for both men and women bodybuilders, a Natural Olympia qualifier.
This is a natural bodybuilding competition where athletes must compete without the use of banned performance-enhancing drugs like anabolic steroids.
Strict guidelines are enforced. Promoter Joe Metzka said both the International Natural Bodybuilding Association and Professional Natural Bodybuilding Association competition complies to the Olympic committee, and contestants are fully drug tested.
He’s a passionate supporter of bodybuilding, which he describes as a mix of sport and art. and was the Natural Olympia Champion in 2024 and 2025. Natural Olympia is the world championship.
“It’s the pinnacle of natural bodybuilding,” he said.
Metzka said Denny Kakos, founder and global president of the INBA and PNBA, will be present. Considered the “Godfather of Natural Bodybuilding,” he created the Natural Olympia and established major drug-free platforms, promoting strict anti-doping standards and fair play. He united elite natural athletes in more than 70 countries for this movement.
Kakos, the owner of Iron Man magazine, designates honors and recognition.
“He will offer specific winners of amateur divisions a pro card with INBA PNBA and an invitation to Natural Olympia in November. He will also feature standout winners in the illustrious Iron Man Magazine,” Metzka said.
Athletes are judged on stage through mandatory poses, displaying their physique, symmetry, balance and conditioning. Competitions are separated into divisions based on gender, size and muscularity. There will be individual choreographed posing routines to music, followed by awards presentations.
The event kicks off at 10 a.m. at the Lincoln Theatre, 103 E. Main St. in Belleville. General admission is $50 and full access is $75, cash only. Tickets are available at the door.
Tickets will be available at the door ($50 or $75 for full access, cash only).
For more information, visit https://www.naturalbodybuilding.com/
Lynn (Zipfel) Venhaus has had a continuous byline in St. Louis metro region publications since 1978. She writes features and news for Belleville News-Democrat and contributes to St. Louis magazine and other publications.
She is a Rotten Tomatoes-approved film critic, currently reviews films for Webster-Kirkwood Times and KTRS Radio, covers entertainment for PopLifeSTL.com and co-hosts podcast PopLifeSTL.com…Presents.
She is a member of Critics Choice Association, where she serves on the women’s and marketing committees; Alliance of Women Film Journalists; and on the board of the St. Louis Film Critics Association. She is a founding and board member of the St. Louis Theater Circle.
She is retired from teaching journalism/media as an adjunct college instructor.