Athletes from Canberra and the South Coast showcased their hard work and efforts before the eyes of physique critiques.

ICN (iCompete Natural) competitors were welcomed to the stage and instructed to show off certain muscle groups to a panel of judges.

The crowd cheered in support as they watched each athlete relax through a smooth transition before tensing into an impressive pose.

The heat and determination was intense. Competitors pumped themselves up with hope to place in the top three and qualify for nationals..

The many days of preparation had paid off for Men's overall champion Anthony Patrizi who took out three titles of the competition.

The Batemans Bay bodybuilder let his emotions fly as he claimed the champion title.

"There were little tears, it was very emotional because I had worked so long and so hard for this one," he said.

Patrizi says there's no time to relax, he is straight back into training and has his mind set to compete at more upcoming bodybuilding and physique championships.

READ MORE: Jayden Visser and Anthony Patrizi in Batemans Bay Clash at the Coast

Narooma's Chantelle Gauslaa also took out three titles on the day - figure intermediate, classic figure and figure open.

She said her eighth time competing was a blast, and now looks forward to indulging in a burger.

"I have another week to go, I am competing in Canberra and then I shall celebrate after that - there will be a burger involved," Gauslaa said.

The preparation and time each athlete puts into competing is phenomenal, for Merimbula's Hannah Hawkes, a focus on her fitness has been life changing.

She trains at the gym six days a week which helped her through tough times of depression.

"I was going through two years of depression and I knew the gym definitely helped my mind," she said.

For her first time competing, Hawkes was thrilled to take home the title of ms bikini first timers and ms bikini opens.