Jackson bodybuilder wins state title

Jackson bodybuilder Jeff Renner won the lightweight class of the Mr. Missouri competition held in Springfield, Mo., last weekend.

Renner reclaimed the crown he won in 1992, the last time he entered the competition. The event involved more than 100 bodybuilders in three categories.

With the Mr. Missouri competition not excluding athletes who take performance-enhancing drugs, Renner's victory was even more memorable.

"I don't like second place -- I like to win," Renner said. "My goal is always to win."

Now 37, Renner has claimed about 15 titles in 15 years of bodybuilding. Renner also won the Heart of Illinois competition in April.

The Mr. Missouri show had guest appearances from current Mr. Olympia Ronnie Coleman and Ms. Olympia Lenda Murray.

Renner said the show had a crowd of nearly 1,500.

"It's nice when you get people supporting bodybuilding," he said.

For Renner the Mr. Missouri competition was his final show of the year. Renner will now come off a diet that helped him slim down to 4 percent body fat for last weekend's show.

Renner said he'll wait until the end of the year before he even thinks about his next competition.

"It's pretty exciting," he said. "I love doing it."