Professional athletes from all over the world are converging on Shreveport-Bossier  this week, as Louisiana's largest multi-sporting event gets underway.

Ezra-Johnson-wmark-3
loading...

Among the many events featured at the 9th Annual Fit for Life Sport Weekend:

  • A special presentation by retired Green Bay Packer and Shreveport native Ezra Johnson
  • The American Strongman Competition (as seen on ESPN)
  • The Optimum Classic IFBB/NPC Bodybuilding/Figure/Fitness/Bikini Championships
  • DARE Day at Independence Stadium with 7,000 fifth-graders
  • Weekend Kickoff Luncheon featuring Caddo Parish Superintendent Gerald Dawkins

Fit for Life founder Robert "Super-Mann" Blount tells KEEL, "This event will help educate and inspire kids and their parents to become more active and practice healthy eating habits.

Louisiana is ranked fourth in the nation for overweight and obese children. This program will help the public recognize this epidemic."

Friday is the Fit for Life Sports Weekend Kickoff  Luncheon at the El Dorado Casino and Hotel in Shreveport.  Sponsored by the United Way of Northwest Louisiana, the luncheon will feature guest of honor Ezra Johnson and a number of professional athletes, who have travelled from around the globe, including Russia, Czecholsovaki, England and Canada.

johnson1
loading...

Luncheon speaker will be Caddo Parish School Superintendent Gerald Dawkins.  A number of elected officials and event sponsors also will be in attendance.

Saturday, beginning at 9 am:

  • NPC International Federation of BodyBuilders/National Physique Committee Bodybuilding/Figure/Fitness/Bikini Championships. Judging begins at 9 am At Shreveport Convention Center, 400 Caddo Street. Finals take place at 7 pm.
  • Amateur Boxing Tournament at Shreveport Convention Center. Tournament begins at 2 pm.
  • Dynamite Basketball 3-on-3 Tournament at Shreveport Convention Center
  • Fencing Competition at Shreveport Convention Center
  • American Strongman Competition at Shreveport Convention Center
  • 3-D Archery Tournament at Shreveport Convention Center
  • Fitness Expo at Shreveport Convention Center
  • Roy Griggs McDonald's 5K Family Fun Run/Walk at Clyde Fant Parkway
  • United States Specialty Sports Association Baseball Tournament at Southern Hills Metro Park
  • Hispanic Soccer Tournament at Louisiana State University - Shreveport
  • Hershey Track and Field Meet at Lee Hedges Stadium
  • Shreveport Knights Football Game at Lee Hedges Stadium
  • Therapeutic Adaptive Field Day at A.C. Steere Park

Tickets to see all of the events at the Convention Center are $20. Bodybuilding pre-judging tickets are $25. Tickets for the 7 pm Finals are $50 for VIP and $35 for general admission.

Fit for Life is sponsored by the Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau, the Shreveport-Bossier Sports Commission, the Governor's Games, the City of  Shreveport, the City of Bossier City, SWEPCO, Wal-Mart, Power Shack, Credit Bureau of the South, United Healthcare,  Shreveport Limousine, Shreveport Public Assembly and Recreation, El Dorado Casino, Griggs Enterprises, McDonald's, Bobby Johnson Equipment, Hilton Shreveport, Princeton Harrison's Optimum Fitness, Odyssey Foundation, Parish of Caddo, Sam's Town Casino, Cumulus Radio, the Vitamin Shoppe, SportsSpectrum, and SMG.

More From News Radio 710 KEEL