Laughlin airmen take home three Musclemania awards

Published March 19, 2014
By Senior Airman John D. Partlow
47th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs

LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Two Laughlin airmen recently competed and placed in Musclemania All Forces, a natural bodybuilding competition open to all servicemembers, firefighters, policemen and their families.

Tech. Sgt. Robert Niter III, 47th Medical Group NCO in charge of optometry, took home first place in both the Men's Model and Men's Physic competition. Airman 1st Class Samuel Hahn, 47th MDG Public Health technician, won second place in Men's Physic while competing in a different weight class than Niter.

"Winning first place doesn't mean you're better than anyone else, it only validates that you've successfully competed against yourself," said Niter. "It's not about going on stage and saying, 'I think I'm bigger than this guy,' or 'I have more definition that this person.' It's about waking up and saying, 'Can I beat myself today?' It takes dedication, it takes discipline, and it takes sticking to your fitness regimen."

Dedication is one thing Hahn used to push himself to win his award.

"I think I can do anything I set my mind to," he said. "I knew that if I really tried and set my mind towards the competition, I would succeed."

Both men use their training and fitness towards improving the Air Force as a whole, as well.

"As an NCO, I'm expected to show an example," said Niter. "I know people are watching me and airmen are looking towards NCOs to make good decisions. I think working out shows good dedication and a strong drive towards fitness."

"I believe working towards my fitness goals shows strong determination to others," said Hahn. "With going to school, being the dorm president and working towards Below the Zone, I sometimes felt overwhelmed, but it came down to determination and how much I really wanted it."

As far as winning the award two years in a row, Niter said that it's a lot more than just hitting the gym every day.

"Fitness is a three-part project," said Niter. "You can't just go to the gym, just eat right or just sleep for eight hours. You have to combine all of those things to get the results you want. Staying the course, eating the right food, making sure you sleep enough, going to the gym even when you don't want to: that's the recipe for success."

As for next year, both men plan to return to Musclemania and show their level of commitment.

"I definitely plan on going back and placing higher than I did this year," said Hahn. "I don't have to beat the other competitors on just that one day; I have to beat myself every day."

USAF. (U.S. Air Force Graphic by Rosario "Charo" Gutierrez)