“This was my first show,” said the 29-year-old Jamestown native. “I just got into lifting, doing it as part of sports at Jamestown High School and then I continued it when I went to (Jamestown Community College) and figured it was time to do a show. I didn’t decide on doing the competition until September of last year and then I started getting ready for it. I had wanted to do one for a while, but I just put it off for a bit.”

Considering it was Ahlbin’s first entree into a bodybuilding competition, there was some surprise on all sides when he ended up claiming the Heavyweight title during last Saturday’s competition, which is sanctioned by the National Physique Committee.

“I didn’t want to go into it thinking that I was going to win. It was more of a learning experience for me,” said Ahlbin.

In the end, Ahlbin would go on to also win the Mr. Buffalo bodybuilding overall title, which pits winners from all different weight classes against each other.

That championship came from amongst a field of seasoned competitors, many of whom have had years of experience in competitive bodybuilding.

“I think that everyone else in my weight class had already done five or six shows. It seemed like it was only a new thing to me,” said Ahlbin “I was pretty proud because I don’t know if anyone from the area has ever won the title before.”

When the decision was made in September to begin working towards a competition, Ahlbin worked with Buffalo-based trainer Justin Stange to adjust his diet.

“Before I pretty much just ate a lot and then getting ready for the show everything was very regimented and I would check in with (Justin) every so often,” said Ahlbin.

With the pleasant surprise of taking home not one but two titles from Niagara, Ahlbin has now qualified for NPC National Competition, which will give him the opportunity to compete at a number of different bodybuilding shows in the season.

As of his first win, Ahlbin is still undecided as to where he will next take to the stage.