Champions - Jim Kotantonis
A Renaissance ManBY Vance Ang
Australian Ironman Body Building & Fitness Magazine
Jim Kotantonis has proved himself on the world NABBA bodybuilding stage. But it’s his skills in other areas of his life that make this man so unique.
Make no mistake, Australian bodybuilder Jim Kotantonis is certainly a talented man. Speaking to Jim, you wonder whether the TV series MacGyver or more recently The Pretender were based around the exploits of this gifted individual who excels in various fields! He’s a mild mannered accountant, network martial artist, personal trainer, an automobile enthusiast with a penchant for powerful cars and a champion bodybuilder.
In his youth, Jim admits to being a sports fanatic, specifically enjoying soccer and dabbling in martial arts such as the celebrated Kyokushinkai method, created by the legendary Mas Oyama. Simultaneously, Jim did extremely well in the academic field excelling in physics. However Jim didn’t pursue a career in science after an older cousin preached the occupational and financial benefits of studying commerce. Being naturally gifted with figures Jim followed his cousin’s guidance and after graduating from university, Jim worked as an accountant. When his soccer dreams were prematurely cut short by injury, Jim looked towards the gymnasium, as an alternative physical pursuit as well as a remedial method of building strength.
He says “I couldn’t play soccer anymore and took a whole season off, just doing weights.”
Having first-class genetics meant that Jim made impressive gains within the first two months of his weight training, and that in itself persuaded the budding athlete to persist with training. The rapid changed surprised Jim, seeing a more impressive reflection of himself in the mirror: “Wow, this is for me. I’m looking good, getting stronger!”
The improvements and gains made with the progressive training methods in body building is one of the key factors that motivate and addicts participants and such was the case with Jim.
“I enjoy it since I like the discipline and determination,” he says.
Discipline, it appears, was already inherent within Jim’s psyche and instilled in him from his parents at an early age. It is his Greek culture and heritage which played an integral part of Jim’s various accomplishment; emphasising hard work and dedication.
As with many bodybuilders the world over, Jim confesses his admiration for Arnie, legendary bodybuilder, actor and the Governor of California. And the Austrian Oak’s influence on Jim’s bodybuilding career is definitely profound as he says, “When I saw footage of him [Arnold] when I was 10 years old, I told myself that on day THAT”S what I want to look like.”
Thus Jim’s bodybuilding journey started at the age of 21 when he commenced serious weight training and then competed two years later. Now, at 35, its apparent that Jim is certainly no rookie when I comes to the sport. Yet despite the taxing demands on training and competing, Jim focuses on the positive aspects of bodybuilding and it is that passion that drives him, “I love the sport,” he exclaims. “I think its fun! It’s a constant means of improving yourself, doesn't’t mean you have to get bigger every time but gradually your shape improves… its definitely harder when I was younger trying to put on the size an it gets easier with ages, to me its a habit and lifestyle.”
This lifestyle that Jim refers to includes intense training sessions, four times a week increasing to six weekly sessions when preparing for a competition. To avoid the infamous ‘muscle meltdown’, Jim spends no longer than one hour and ten minutes in the gym. During competition preparation, Jim increases the intensity as well as adopts a speed based routine, increasing volume and also focusing on smaller muscles such as his calves and abdominal's.
Although Jim is an overall impressive physical specimen, he admits that he enjoys training his shoulders while his mammoth-sized chest is the one area which Jim states ‘grows very quickly’, especially when he focuses upon incline bench press: with the ability to press 180pund dumbbells and 180kg on a barbell! Having already built up remarkable mass and equally impressive definition, Jim admits that he does not have to diet as much as he used to but still watches what he eats. He consumes a daily intake of 500 grams of protein, in stark contrast his carbohydrate intake is around 300 grams with a remaining 100 grams on good fats. According to Jim, he values his recipe for chicken risotto which provides ample servings of protein, carbs and fats.
Jim also finds the use of supplements imperative for his training and growth stating, “I’m fortunate enough to be sponsored by International Protein, which has a great range of products to suit my needs… I’ve had excellent results already [since attaining his sponsorship] in terms of my strength, recovery and energy levels,” Jim also adds. “I’m very selective when it comes to my supplements and I like to know I’m getting quality and effective products.”
Jim is indebted to Christine Envell and Troy Bremner (the owners), “They understand my needs and they have been great, not just through their support and confidence in me but by advising me on which products will best suit my needs,” he explains.
“I’m looking forward to representing them when I hit the stage again in June 2006 at the NABBA Southern Hemisphere.”
On Sundays Jim has his ‘cheat-day’ where he’ll consume anything he desires, which is valuable for his social butterfly who enjoys dining out with friends. Evidently, Jim matches his sporting prowess with his academic capacity, working as an accountant and now moving into I.T. Not one to sit idly by when opportunities present themselves, Jim made an important lifestyle decision, changing occupations from finance to information technology, establishing himself as a network systems engineer.
In this demanding role, Jim is in charge of computer systems, managing the networks of an Australian organisation. Jim seized this opportunity to try something new and entered the IT industry at the right moment, at the genesis of the IT boom.
At 91kg (100kg off-season) it’s an understatement to say that Jim is a large competitor, thus the nickname ‘Big Jim’ is a very apt description of this prodigious competitor. In his most muscular pose Jim does not only show the audience and judges sheer size and mass, but also illustrates a defined physique, perfectly proportioned and virtually flawless in his presentation. But besides his physique, it is maturity and sense of calm which also count among his most admirable attributes.
Winning his class at the Southern Hemisphere Championships in QLD qualified Jim for the NABBA World Championships in Natal, Brazil in July this year. Literally pumped and prime for this incredible opportunity, Jim made all arrangements but unexpectedly he became the victim of unfortunate circumstances, missing his connecting flight due to delays and then having to spend 15 hours in an international airport! What’s more, the food served at the airport did not cater to an elite bodybuilder like Jim, so he forcibly fasted! NABBA judging authorities were informed of Jim’s situation and a few hours later Jim finally caught a flight to Brazil.
Ultimately he placed a commendable 7th at the World Championships, not a bad effort considering the dramatic course of events which affected his preparation. Had he caught that connecting flight, he would have no doubt fared in a more favourable placing. Retrospectively Jim simply says, “I was in shape, but I could have been fuller,” furthermore he says, “It’s one of those things, I missed the flight due to smog in the air…I was frustrated but I just put up and shut up. It’s a learning experience and next time I’ll arrive a couple of days earlier.” Perhaps it was the great level of understanding he received from NABBA officials, fellow competitors and native Brazilians that helped make the experience more upbeat.
In his spare time, Jim is a self-confessed car fanatic creating and upgrading an original street machine: a new SS commodore with a new 6.8 litre LS2 motor (imported from the USA) with twin turbo, costing Jim over $100,000! And Jim’s automotive beast will be featured in the coming Holden/Ford show at the end of October! “The car will be on show and in the Dyno Shoot out where we are hoping to be the first LS1 powered vehicle in Australia to crack 1000 horses at the rear wheels!” he says.
When not tinkering with mechanics, Jim enjoys spending time with friends and family and though he works hard, he also plays hard – a true party animal!
Although Jim is looking to the next World Championships in 2006, he also assumes a very sensible approach to bodybuilding: “At the end of the day, my profession comes first, and I don’t treat bodybuilding as a source of income… I treat it as a hobby as such, and therefore I enjoy it as such.”
This NABBA competitor debunks the myth that bodybuilders are all muscle and not much else. He is articulate, intellectual and posses an acerbic wit. Importantly, Jim’s sense of ambition will no doubt secure him further accomplishments in both sporting and professional careers.
Jim’s Competition Achievements
1993 - 1st Novice Mr Melbourne, 1st Class 4 Mr Melbourne.
NABBA National Oceania Qualifier 1st Novice and 1st Class 4 - Newcastle
1st Novice Mr Oceania and 1st Class 4 Mr Oceania - Wellington, New Zealand.
1994 - Mr Victoria 1st Class 4 and 1st Overall, Mr Australia 3rd Class 4.
1995 - Mr Victoria 1st Class 4 and 1st Overall, Mr Australia 2nd Class 4
1997 - Mr Victoria 1st Class 4 and 1st Overall, Mr Australia 2nd Class 4
1998 - Mr Australian 1st Class 4, Mr World - Alicante, Spain 4th Class 4.
2003 - Mr Victoria 1st Class 4 and 1st Overall, Mr Southern Hemisphere 1st Class 4
2005 - Mr Southern Hemisphere 1st Class 4, Mr World - Natal, Brazil 7th Class 4
TESTIMONIAL
The gym is great Wayne.. Good Work!
- Jim Kotantonis
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