NATCHEZ — Natchez played host to the Bodybuilding and Figure Championships Saturday night, but no Natchez residents were among the competition’s top winners.

Overall winners included Clinton resident Steven Singleton, Cherry resident Kenneth Funchez and Jackson resident Rachel Cowan.

Several locals did compete though, including Justin Thorton, 24, Ashley Hayles, 23, Kristine Bedson, 22, and Robert Green, 49.

All of the competitors sprayed on their tans, flexed their painstakingly crafted muscles and greased up with Pam in preparation for their turn to take the stage.

“This is my first competition,” Thorton said as he finished up rubbing in his artificial tan.

For Bedson, the competition was a career move.

“I am doing this for my resume,” Bedson, an aspiring model and actress, said.

Only the tans were fake at this competition though.

In order for anyone to compete in the event competitors had to take a polygraph test.

The test was required to make sure everyone was competing in compliance with all Organization of Competitive Bodybuilding’s rules.

Local native James Davis promoted the event and was a guest poser at the muscle show.

“I am from Natchez and when I retire I hope to come home,” Davis said. “I brought the show to Natchez to interest people in healthy living.”

People from further away than Natchez came to compete in the event. Terry Panzer, 44, and her supportive husband came from Vicksburg and Demica Paige, 31, traveled from Orlando Fla. to show off her physique.