2010 Iron Man Blog

The IFBB Iron Man Pro bodybuilding contest, celebrating its 20th Anniversary, is the longest-running IFBB professional bodybuilding event on the West Coast. The TOP FIVE finishers will qualify to compete in the ‘09 Mr. Olympia.

One of the deepest line-ups in the recent history of the event will file onto the Los Angeles Convention Center stage on Saturday, January 24 as the IRON MAN PRO, celebrating its 20-year anniversary, opens up the 2009 season. It is the longest running professional contest on the West Coast, and the third longest in the history of the IFBB, behind only the Mr. Olympia and the Arnold Classic.
    
The 28-man field, representing 14 countries, includes Moe Elmoussawi, Silvio Samuel and Johnnie Jackson, who finished 3rd, 4th and 5th, respectively, last year, all attempting to walk off with the $15,000 first place award. Other standouts among the field who will be battling for a top five finish (and an Olympia qualifying berth) include Mark Dugdale (2nd in 07), Troy Alves (3rd on two occasions), Eddie Abbew (3rd in 07), Hidetada Yamagishi, Marcus Haley (5th in 07), Ahmad Haidar, Ronny Rockel and Omar Deckard.

The Finals event features individual posing followed by the exciting posedown of the top 5 to determine the ultimate Iron Man Pro Champion who will take home $15,000.  

Judging begins at 10:30 a.m. with the Finals set for 8 p.m.

Here is the tentative competitor list:

For more information click here

The 2009 IFBB Iron Man Pro and FitExpo will be held from January 24-25, 2009. Get complete event information right here!

Bodybuilding.com is going to have complete coverage of this event including a Live Webcast!

Here is the tentative competitor list for the Men’s Division:

   1. Eddie Abbew, USA
   2. Oliver Adzievski, Sweden
   3. Mohammad Bannout, Lebanon
   4. Cesar Mendible-Baptista, Venezuela
   5. Thomas Benagli, Italy
   6. Adorthus Cherry, USA
   7. Mark Dugdale, USA
   8. Oleg Empelyanov, Russia
   9. Aiman Faour, Lebanon
  10. DeShaun Grimez, USA
  11. Ahmad Haidar, Lebanon
  12. Marc LaVoie, Canada
  13. Don Long, USA
  14. Daron Lytle, USA
  15. Evgeny Mishin, Russia
  16. Ronny Rockel, Germany
  17. Silvio Samuel, USA
  18. Daniele Seccarecci, Italy
  19. Hidetada Yamagishi, Japan
  20. Marcus Haley, USA
  21. Martin Kjellstrom, Sweden

Pre-Judging: Saturday, Jan 24, 10:30 a.m. (Petree Hall)
Finals: Saturday, Jan 24, 8:00 p.m. (Petree Hall)
FitExpo Hours: Sat/Sun, Jan. 24, 25 (West Hall)

Get your tickets now!

Hotel Information:

      Our host hotel is the beautiful Holiday Inn L.A. City Center

      To reserve your rooms please call the hotel directly at 888-336-3745

Proud Sponsors:

Check out the 2009 Iron Man Main Page

The IRONMAN Pro will be here before you know it. The IRONMAN PRO contest is up to 19 men as of today. Check out the official competitor list for the guys who have sent in their contracts at IFBBpro.com.

Sergey - 278Ibs

Dragan - 240Ibs

Silvio Samuel - 222Ibs - Looked in very good shape, back looks thicker, maybe not as sharp

Armin Shultz - 279Ibs - I saw him in the posing room in Golds Gym earlier - looks very ripped and dry

Nathan Woolsley - 225Ibs

Memet - 238Ibs

Kenny Jones - 175Ibs

King Kamali - 263Ibs, says he looks his best ever, Milos has taken his prep to another level.

Desmond Miller - 260Ib Legs looked great but they are his best bodypart

JoJo Nitufuru - 240Ibs

Phil Heath - 240Ibs

David Henry - 203Ibs

Johnnie Jackson - 236Ibs - looked a little smooth when he hit a front double bicep

Rusty Jeffers - 240Ibs

Im live at the weigh in and Lonnie Teper is putting the athletes on stage to give us a sneak preview of some of the athletes and their 2008 weight.

I have spoken to a few of the athletes, some who say are confident in their condition being the best ever were Will Harris, Rusty Jeffers, Troy Alves

Eddie Abbew - 273Ibs

Khalid - from the netherlands 203Ibs

Troy Alves -222Ibs - removed his top and looked very dry and shredded, possibly his best shape to date.

Gustavo Badell - 255Ib

Paul Baker - 270Ibs

Ray Arde - 220Ibs

Troy Brown - 240Ibs

Jimmy Canion - 200Ibs - Looked a little smooth in the upper body from what we saw

Rodney Davis - 256Ibs

Omar Deckard - 260Ibs - looked pretty tight in the abs and obliques, but thats all we saw

Alfonso Del Rio - 276Ibs

Mo Mosouwi - 239Ibs - We only saw the guns (his outstanding bodypart) and they lokked outstanding

Toney Freeman - 290Ibs

DeShaun Grimez - 240Ibs - Being helped by fellow IFBB Pro George Farah

Will Harris - N/A Wouldnt jump on the scale

Official Web Site: www.ironmanpro.com

PRESS CONFERENCE/MEN’S WEIGH-IN
Friday, Feb. 15 (4 p.m.) - West Hall A. One of the most exciting events every year! Meet with Iron Man
publisher John Balik and Lonnie Teper, the most accomplished emcee in bodybuilding, as they introduce
and weigh in all its pro competitors. All industry and mainstream press, VIP guests and Expo attendees are
invited to participate. Get a sneak peek at these amazing bodies and see if you can predict who will win the IRON MAN Pro XIX title.

MEET THE PROS
Friday, Feb. 15 (5 p.m.) - West Hall A. We’ve asked the competitors to stick around in the Main Stage to
mingle and meet attendees, so take this opportunity to wish your favorite athlete good luck and grab a photo or two with them as well!

IFBB IRON MAN PRO BODYBUILDING COMPETITION (JUDGING)
Saturday, Feb. 16 (10 a.m.) - West Hall B.  The IFBB Iron Man Pro bodybuilding contest, now in its 19th
year, is the longest-running IFBB professional bodybuilding event on the West Coast. The TOP FIVE finishers will qualify to compete in the ‘08 Mr. Olympia . Total prize money is $30,000.  Competitor list includes Toney Freeman, Gustavo Badell, Phil Heath, Silvio Samuel, Desmond Miller, Will Haris, Troy Alves, Johnnie Jackson, Eddie Abbew, and many others.

NPC IRON MAN FIGURE COMPETITION
Saturday, Feb. 16 (12 p.m.) - West Hall B.  Featuring the world’s hottest, fittest female bodies on one stage!  This has been an extremely popular event over the years. The overall winner will receive a photo shoot with Iron Man Magazine’s celebrated photographer, Michael Neveux, and  will be featured in Iron Man Magazine.

IFBB IRON MAN PRO BODYBUILDING & NPC FIGURE (FINALS)
Saturday, Feb. 16 (6:30 p.m.) - West Hall B. The Finals event features individual posing followed by the exciting posedown of the top 5 to determine the ultimate Iron Man Pro Champion who will take home $15,000.  

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: REG PARK
Since 1998 we have paid tribute to those who have devoted a lifetime commitment to bodybuilding such as Mickey Hargitay, Vince Gironda, Joe Weider, Jim Manion, Bill Bearl and Jack LaLanne.  This year the Peary & Mabel Rader Award for Lifetime Achievement will be posthumously awarded to Reg Park.

Reg Park was one of the all-time greatest bodybuilding superstars. He left an impression on the iron game that will live forever. He was larger than life and a real champion’s champion. He passed away on November 22, 2007, of advanced skin cancer.  At a special tribute held in his honor on December 16, 2007, at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel in Santa Monica, California, more than 200 of his friends and admirers gathered to
celebrate his fabulous life and times in a private party hosted by Arnold Schwarzenegger and his wife, Maria Shriver.

Reg was the first man to win three Mr. Universe titles, and he did that at seven-year intervals—’51, ‘58 and ‘65.  He also had a successful career in movies, starring in five films as Hercules.  An amazing Renaissance man, he owned five gyms in South Africa and was a contest promoter extraordinaire, holding events all over that country.  He also published a highly respected bodybuilding magazine, the Reg Park Journal.  He trained many champion athletes and bodybuilders and greatly influenced Arnold as a mentor and inspirational motivating force.

Reg first came to the attention of the bodybuilding world in 1950, when he competed against Steve Reeves
in the Mr. Universe contest.  He lost by a half point, and many thought he should have won because he had
greater muscle density and muscularity than Reeves.  He returned to win the title the next year, and his legendary career skyrocketed.  He was considered the world’s greatest bodybuilder by most fans and authorities at that time and for many years thereafter.

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SHOW SCHEDULE
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Press Conference/Men’s Weigh-in, Friday, Feb. 15  at 4 p.m. (West Hall A)
Meet the Pros, Friday, Feb. 15 at 5 p.m. (West Hall A)
Men’s Judging:  Saturday, Feb. 16 at 10:00 a.m. (West Hall B)
Figure Judging:  Saturday, Feb. 16 at 12 noon (West Hall B)
Finals: Saturday, Feb. 16 at 6:30 p.m. (West Hall B)
FitExpo Hours: Fri/Sat/Sun, Feb. 15, 16, 17 (West Hall A)

*Schedule subject to change. Check www.ironmanpro.com for updates.

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TICKETS
*******************************
Judging + FREE Saturday Expo ($40)
Finals + FREE Saturday Expo ($70, $50)
*VIP Package ($125) includes Judging/Finals + 3-Day
Expo pass, BEST CENTER SEATING and the 2008 IRON MAN Pro DVD.

Call to order 800-447-0008 (24/7) or online www.ironmanpro.com. All seats are assigned.

Tickets also available at:
Max Muscle Venice
259 Hampton Dr, #A, Venice, CA 90291
Tel: 310-581-9885

IRON MAN BOX OFFICE
Los Angeles Convention Center, West Hall
Friday, Feb. 15 - 3pm to 7pm
Saturday, Feb. 16 - 9am to 8pm

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COMPETITORS
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MEN
Toney Freeman
Gustavo Badell
Phil Heath
Silvio Samuel
Desmond Miller
Troy Alves
Johnnie Jackson
Eddie Abbew
Khalid Almohsinawi
Ray Arde
Paul Baker
Troy Brown
Rodney Davis
Omar Deckard
Alfonso del Rio
Moe Elmoussawi
Deshaun Grimez
David Henry
Rusty Jeffers
King Kamali
Vincent Liu
JoJo Ntiforo
Sergey Ogorodnikov
Gian Enrico Pica
Armin Scholz
Jimmy Canyon
Ken Jones
Will Harris
Mehmet Yildirim
Dragan Paunovic
Neset Icli
Nathan Wonsley

FIGURE
Debbie Bell
Lynette Brooks
Danelle Edmonds
Laurie Eldredge
Hannah Fox
Danitza Freigher
Holly Humphreys
Jennifer Kline
Delinia Lewis
Lisa Lynn-Calhoun
Dore Madere
Kimberly McGarry
MaryAnn Pangelinan
Kathryn Payton
Kristina Perez
Alma Ramirez
Venus Ramos
Ana Tigre
Lorenn Uscilowski
Soumaya Wilmore
Lucinda Witte

This line up continues to get more and more impressive. Johnny Jackson has added his name to the competitor list. The top 10 for this show is going to be great!

I’m meeting up with Phil Heath for a new video series to be shown on FLEXONLINE.com. Stayed tuned for more updates and a glimpse of Heath’s productive off-season.

He faired well in his rookie year as a pro in 2007. Desmond qualified for the Olympia but chose to sit it out.  How will he do in this tough IRONMAN line up?

2008 IRONMAN Competitor List:
Toney Freeman, USA
Gustavo Badell, USA
Phil Heath, USA
Silvio Samuel, USA
Troy Alves, USA
Eddie Abbew, UK
Khalid Almohsinawi, USA
Ray Arde, USA
Paco Bautista, Spain
Troy Brown, Canada
Jimmy Canyon, USA
Rodney Davis, USA
Omar Deckard, USA
Alfonso del Rio, Spain
Moe Elmoussawi, USA
Deshaun Grimez, USA
David Henry, USA
Rusty Jeffers, USA
Ken Jones, USA
King Kamali, USA
Vincent Liu, Canada
JoJo Ntiforo, USA
Sergey Ogorodnikov, Russia
Gian Enrico Pica, USA
Armin Scholz, Germany
John Sherman, USA
Denis Sergovskiy, Russia
Mehmet Yildirim, France

From: http://www.hardbody.com/news/2008/01/07/2008-ironman-npc-figure-competitor-list/

Competitor list to date for NPC IRONMAN FIGURE:
Kristina Perez
Laurie Eldredge
Lucinda Witte
Brianne Shaw
Soumaya Wilmore
Holly Humphreys
Kathryn Payten
Debbie Bell
Hanna Fox
Alma Ramirez
Ana Tigre
Dore Madere
Delinia Lewis
Lisa Lynn-Calhoun
Lynette Brooks
Danitza Freigher
Jennifer Kline
MaryAnn Pangelinan
Venus Ramos

In case you weren’t aware, two of our very own BodySpace members are competing at the Iron Man later on today (in the NPC Figure division).

Their names are:

• Dr. Venus Ramos
• Vanessa Van Overmeer

Venus took 3rd place at last year’s Iron Man in NPC Figure (Class B).

Tune into the live webcast tonight to see how these two veritably vivacious competitors place!  Good luck, ladies! 

Venus Ramos:

Vanessa Van Overmeer:

When did Troy Alves withdraw from the Iron Man Pro?  I didn’t see him on the latest Competitor Lists…?

Updated (Tentative*) List Of
IFBB Pro Men Competitors:

Edward Abbew
Jason Arntz
Eryk Bui
Omar Deckard
Kris Dim
Mark Dugdale
Moe Elmoussaoui
Aiman Faour
Toney Freeman
Ahmad Haidar
David Henry
Rusty Jeffers
Rod Ketchens
Martin Kjellstrom
Francesco Mazzotta
Silvio Samuel Saviour
Daniele Seccarecci
Roc Shabazz
Sergey Shelestov
Clifton Torres
Luke Wood
Hidetada Yamagishi
Fabrizio Zittucro
Frank McGrath
Marcus Haley

*Info courtesy of IronManPro.com and GraphicMuscle.com.

Updated (Tentative**) List Of
NPC Amateur Figure Competitors:

Debbie Bell
Noreene Castillo
Michele Cogger
Danielle Edmonds
Allyson Ellenson
Sirvan Ergili
Hilary Fonseca
Dena Gunnoe
Dawn Kirkham
Elizabeth Laub
Monica Mark
Cindy Martinez
Tanya Peale
Venus Ramos
Alecia Rankovic
Diva Richards
Busaraporn “Ann” Treesukosol
Vanessa Van Overmeer
Soumaya Wilmore

Kathy Fehringer withdrew for health reasons.

**Info courtesy of GraphicMuscle.com.