MBS member Richard Dickens wanted desperately to utter these words as he defended his title at the NAC (National Aerobics Championships) in Los Angeles, California.

   The finals were held at the Manhattan Beach Marriott on April 6-8. Finalists from all over the country competed for this prestigious title--to be the best in the USA!

   If you remember as I reported last year, Richard competed and became the National Champion in the Men’s Individuals--Masters division (35 years old and up) bringing home the gold medal.

   He defeated nine other competitors many years younger—and I say again many years younger! Richard is currently 55 years old while his fellow competitors were in their late 30’s.

   To defend his title this year, Richard trained with the same intensity and tenacity that got him the gold medal last year. Unfortunately, Richard developed a shoulder injury six months prior to the competition (rotator cuff tear, and a ligament of the biceps was partially torn where it attaches), which only became worse as he continued to train.

   "I just put it out of my mind," explained Richard as he recalled the pain of training and competing with this injury. "I learned to live with the pain."

   Injury or not, in this year’s championship Richard had seven other competitors younger than he to beat.

   When the smoke cleared, and the judges finished tallying up the scores---Richard took the Silver medal. A difference of 2 tenths of a point between the Gold and Silver!

   The Gold medal went to Rossi Mills (37)---Richard’s first coach 8 years ago when Richard stopped drinking, put his cigarettes away and began competing. The bronze medal went to another 37 year old competitor (Incidentally, Rossi won the gold in the 1992 South East Regionals where I took the Silver).

   "I didn’t seem to have the "eye of the tiger" said Richard with a disheartened tone in his voice. "I might not have been hungry enough."

   At the end of the competition Richard announced his retirement. After 8 years of beating up his body and being on a strict diet, he had enough—or so he thought. On the airplane ride home he changed his mind.

   "This year I will be stronger!" exclaimed Richard as he sat at home recovering from shoulder surgery and listening to music he picked for his routine next year.