ANDREW OYE’S PRO-MUSCLE REPORT (THE ARCHIVES - 3)
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ARCHIVE’S OF MY PRO BODYBUILDING COLUMN: "ANDREW OYE’S PRO-MUSCLE REPORT"
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The Headline: TONEY & HENRY TAKE TOP HONORS IN TAMPA
By Andrew Oye
The Item: Contest Results
The Scoop: Just Announced: Over the weekend, the first IFBB Tampa Pro Bodybuilding Weekly Championships drew a thick lineup of nearly 50 musclemen stomping on the stage in search of recognition. In the tough Men’s Open Class, USA’s 6’2”, 284-pound Toney Freeman delivered tight conditioning and his trademark “X-Man” symmetry to snatch a much-needed victory from his closest competitors on his stride toward the Mr. Olympia. Germany’s Dennis “The Menace” James made physique improvements by whittling his waist, balancing his back and refining his conditioning; yet, Freeman’s superior wheels negated James’s 2-point lead prior to the finals (2nd place). USA’s David Henry deceptively appears larger than the scale’s reading, complete with an expansive back and broad, densely capped shoulders that create an awesome Most Muscular pose (3rd place).
In the Under 202 Class, David Henry won by a unanimous vote and the 5’5” “Giant Killer” posed a legit threat the big men in the Open Class, setting a good pace for the upcoming 202 Olympia Showdown. England’s James “Flex” Lewis made his pro debut with impressive legs (2nd place). Slovakia’s Jaroslav Horvath contended with the need for greater sharpness from the rear and now happily contends with week-old twins at home (3rd place).
The “So What?”: Veteran IFBB Pro Darrem Charles lacked his usual ultra-crisp conditioning which earned him a 4th place finish in the Open Class, but he displayed his usual posing prowess to earn the Best Poser award. Andrew Oye’s verdict: The caliber of the production and contestants that heated up Florida means the Olympia is close at hand and the scent of fierce competition is in the air.
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The Headline: CURRY & CURTIS COLLECT NEW PRO CARDS
By Andrew Oye
The Item: Contest Results
The Scoop: Just announced: Over the weekend, under the weight of the Vegas heat, Brandon Curry won both the Heavyweight Class and the Overall Title of Mr. USA at the 2008 NPC USA Bodybuilding Championships. The 5?9?, 220-pound muscle machine – who totes symmetry like a featherweight gym bag – lived up to his pre-contest hype by taking out the well-conditioned Michael Liberatore in a brutal battle that was decided by a single point. Meanwhile, in a unanimous vote, 5’6”, 198-pound Curtis Bryant won the Light-Heavyweight Division over the much talked-up Brooklyn Knight Branden Ray. Bryant placed second to Curry in the Overall decision. Both earned pro cards and the right to now go pose for pose against the big boys of the IFBB.
The “So What?”: Curtis had placed a disappointing seventh in the Heavyweight Class at last season’s Nationals in Dallas. He made a wise move by maintaining his conditioning and dropping down to the Light-Heavyweight Class. This made him the biggest man in his new division, instead of one of the smallest men is his old class. Andrew Oye’s verdict: Professional bodybuilding has just welcomed two new strong contenders to its ranks.
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The Headline: “O” NO!!! MARTINEZ & GREENE OPT OUT OF THE BIG “O” SHOW
By Andrew Oye
The Item: Career Updates/Contest Lineup
The Scoop: Just announced: News has surfaced that IFBB Pro Kai Greene has elected to not compete at the 2008 Mr. Olympia contest. Even though the “Big Show” has been a childhood dream, Greene feels this year isn’t the right time to make it a reality. After his third-place finish at the Arnold Classic and his overall victory at the New York Pro Show earlier this year, the “Super Bowl of Bodybuilding” seemed like a logical next step. However, Greene wants to rest his body and prepare for the 2009 season. This week, it was reported that Greene is recovering from a successful hernia surgery. “I’m looking forward to getting back in the gym and improving my total package of size, shape, symmetry, condition, posing and coming in bigger and better at the 2009 Arnold Classic,” says Greene.
In similar news, IFBB Pro and 2007 Mr. Olympia runner-up Victor Martinez just announced that he would also forgo the 2008 Olympia and return to the contest stage at the 2009 Arnold Classic. Martinez has been recovering from a torn patellar tendon that struck weeks before the 2008 Arnold Classic. “I just won’t be ready in time to be my best,” says Martinez. Rampant industry speculation included heavy doubts that Martinez could pull off a return this year. At one point, Martinez wanted to prove otherwise. “I could do it if I really wanted to, but the results would be no different from last year. I want to show up with a better package than last year and kick some ass!”
The “So What?”: Even after taking a backseat to the reigning Mr. Olympia Jay Cutler at last year’s “Big Show” — in what many spectators called a controversial decision — when asked for a prediction about who will win the title this year, Martinez says without hesitation, “If Jay shows up in shape, it’s his show!” Andrew Oye’s verdict: With favorites dropping like 45-pound plates out of the Olympia running, could the Top Six be filled with a bunch of fresh faces or previously denied vets? We’ll see.
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The Headline: SILVIO & ARDE TAKE THE SHOW AT HOUSTON PRO
By Andrew Oye
The Item: Contest Results
The Scoop: Just announced: IFBB Pro Silvio Samuel was victorious at the 2008 Houston Pro Show over the Independence Day Weekend. At the Stafford Center in Sweetwater, TX, a 5’7”, 223-pound Silvio presented his usual impressive conditioning to overtake a more massive Craig Richardson (2nd place), who displayed improvements since his last showing at the New York Pro Show in May. The vascular, aesthetically improved Leo Ingram (3rd place) earned his first invitation to the Mr. Olympia contest in September. Earning qualifications for the 202 Olympia Showdown are the top-three finishers in the Under 202 Class at the Houston Pro: 5’5” Ray “Sting Ray” Arde, who dominated the class and was awarded 1st place, Ricky “Tricky” Jackson (2nd place) and Jeff “Box” Long (3rd place). Most of the competitors who were edged out of the top 3 in both divisions will attempt to gain Olympia qualification at the Europa in August or the Atlantic City Pro in September.
The “So What?”: This triumph represents the second consecutive year that Samuel wins a summer competition in Texas to gear up for the Olympia. “My plan was to look for a win, just like last year,” says Samuel. “Last year, I was looking for a win to make the top six at the Olympia. I finished seventh, which was good enough for a first Olympia. Now I’m hoping to work hard and take one more step and finish in the top six.” Andrew Oye’s verdict: Sil has a physique to get noticed. As for his placing, a few folks might have something to say about that, namely Cutler, Heath, Dex, Wolf, Melvin, Vic, Kai, etc.
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The Headline: BIG BRANCH BRINGS TEXAS-BRED BEEF TO ISRAEL
By Andrew Oye
The Item: Career Updates/Guest Appearances
The Scoop: Recently reported: IFBB Pro Branch Warren hosted a fitness demo, answered training questions, and performed a special guest-posing routine for over 300 attendees at the Wingate Institute in Israel last week. As part of a fitness course offered by the Nat Holman School for Coaches and Instructors, Israel’s National Center for Physical Education and Sport invited Warren to lend his expertise and provide insight into the bodybuilding industry. “The purpose of the event was to bring people of fitness together,” said Anat Meir, a public relations rep at Wingate. The crowd went wild for the 5’7”, 275-pound beast they call “Quadradaurus.” Warren was encouraged to take the seminar gig by his friend and fellow bodybuilder Dror Okavi (Mr. Israel 2000 and 2001). According to Warren, the sport’s potential popularity in Israel is only hampered by the lack of a support system and by limited knowledge. “A lot of guys here are hungry for knowledge, but in Israel how are you going to make a good living from bodybuilding?” The Texas native earned his pro card at the 2001 Nationals and last competed at the Arnold Classic in March where he placed 4th and received his second “Most Muscular” Award.
The “So What?”: Intrigued by Israel, Warren plans to revisit. “There’s so much in Jerusalem that I want to see,” he told The Jerusalem Post, “I was very excited about coming here. There’s so much history. All you see is terrorism and violence on TV. You don’t get to see the rest of the country.” Andrew Oye’s verdict: When they saw Quadrasaurus’s holy hams and quads, I’m certain folks in the Holy land said, “Holy cow!”
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The Headline: JACKSON JACKS UP HEAVY POUNDS FOR POWERLIFTING RECORD
By Andrew Oye
The Item: Career Updates/Special Achievement
The Scoop: Just announced: IFBB Pro Johnnie Jackson competed in the 2008 United States Powerlifting Federation (USPF) National Powerlifting Championships in Warwick, RI, this past weekend. The 5’8”, 275-pound big man had big goals – a 900-pound deadlift and a 600-pound bench press. Jackson survived a minor crisis during the weigh-in involving an open-back bench-press shirt that did not meet USPF regulations. The man dubbed “the world’s strongest bodybuilder” went on to complete a 465-pound bench press, but his 600-pound lift was disqualified due to a slight dip at the end of the lockout that resulted in an elbow strain. While Johnnie set a deadlift world record of 760 lbs., his 821-pound deadlift was not credited for failure to push his hips forward at the top of the lift. A third attempt resulted in a pulled hamstring.
The “So What?”: My buddy Millard Baker and Muscletime was the sole bodybuilding ‘zine to follow Jackson to the USPF meet and provide exclusive worldwide coverage via a live feed on muscletime.com. “We felt this meet was not only a big deal for Johnnie Jackson but also for the credibility of the sport of bodybuilding,” says Millard. “Johnnie definitely gained respect, on behalf of bodybuilding, from the powerlifting community.“ Andrew Oye’s verdict: Question. Will JOJ’s powerlifing injuries affect his bodybuilding plans, which include the Europa Pro and Atlantic City Pro? Time will tell if crossover athletes can rule both sports.
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The Headline: ARNTZ ACCRUES ACCOMPLISHMENTS: A KID, A CONTRACT, A SLOT AT THE “O”
By Andrew Oye
The Item: Career Updates/Supplement Co. Contract
The Scoop: Athlete to Andrew: IFBB Pro Jason Arntz contacted me with an update from his corner of the east coast muscle scene. The 5’6”, jacked-up Jersey boy carries 235 lbs. in the off-season and usually competes at 210-215 lbs. However, “ Baby Jay” is now taking advantage of the Under 202 Division on the pro circuit. Most recently, he placed 3rd at the NY Pro in the Under 202 Class – his highest placing in his pro career. This qualified him for the Mr. Olympia Under 202 in Las Vegas in September. “The Olympia is something I’ve been dreaming about since I was 16 years old,” Jason excitedly told me. “Also, I am a new Gaspari Nutrition athlete. I couldn’t be happier.” Arntz, who earned his pro card at the 1998 Nationals in Atlanta, GA, just started his contest prep for the Big Show 16 weeks out. He pumps iron in Middlesex County, NJ, where he works as a mortgage broker. He also tied the knot this month!
The “So What?”: Arntz wasn’t even sure where he would place after the NY Pro prejudging rounds. “I knew I was locked in for the 3rd or 4th spot. I wasn’t sure until the last second when they called me out and handed me the check and the third-place trophy.“ His current happiness is split between his emotional career high and the impeding birth of his daughter, due be born on Olmypia Weekend. Andrew Oye’s verdict: Ten years in the making, a slot at the O is nice, but fatherhood will be Bay Jay’s true prize
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The Headline: LEVRONE LEAVES LESSONS & BUILDS A NEW LEGACY
By Andrew Oye
The Item: Legends Update/Guest Appearances
The Scoop: Recently reported: Retired IFBB Pro Kevin Levrone hosted the Kevin Levrone Athlete Seminar in San Antonio on June 15. The seminar was broadcast live on Muscletime.com. The legendary Maryland Muscle Machine addressed a gathering of amateur bodybuilders who had competed at the 2008 NPC South Texas Bodybuilding Classic the day before. The contest promoter, National-level competitor Prince Fontenot, and Bob Johnson of Posedown Magazine organized the event for the 2-time Arnold Classic winner and Top 5 Olympia contender. The presentation opened with a humorous story about how Fontenot, as an amateur, filled in for Levrone, “the winningest bodybuilder in history,” at a guest-posing gig. At 5’10” and 245 lbs on stage, Levrone racked up 20 pro career wins. He’s now a movie producer, actor and lead singer of the band Fulblown, but the perennial fan favorite still makes appearances at major fitness events and expos to dispense training and nutrition advice to the next generation that yearns to benefit from the lessons of the “Uncrowned Mr. Olympia.”
The “So What?”: Last year, rumors of a Levrone comeback to competition were swirling fiercely among bodybuilding fans. But when Levrone visited my place in Hollywood last spring to drop off some EST Nutrition swag and chat about his dramatic turn in the movie “I AM,” which will be released this fall, I knew the Muscle Stage he had left in 2004 was the farthest thing from his mind. Andrew Oye’s verdict: Levrone has left his iron legacy. He made his muscles; now, he’s making movies.
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The Headline: PRIEST PERMITTED TO POSE IN IFBB AGAIN
By Andrew Oye
The Item: IFBB Reinstatement/Career Updates
The Scoop: Just announced: With 11 out of 16 committee votes in his favor, Lee Priest has been officially reinstated into the IFBB. This decision follows Priest’s suspension that began in September 2006 for competing in the now defunct Pro Division Inc. (PDI). “Yes, he’s back in the IFBB,” says IFBB Professional League Chairman Jim Manion. “He’s free to enter any contest. He’s free to guest pose. He has to sign his membership card but other than that formality, which I’m sure he will do, he’s officially back.” First up on Priest’s contest schedule – the Atlantic City Pro in September, two weeks before the big Mr. Olympia contest. “I think the timing was right,” Manion states. “I think Lee has been penalized long enough. He’s made a lot of overtures obviously to try to get back in the IFBB…I’m sure he can’t wait to jump back on stage and get back into the action.” The outspoken muscle-mouth, who had been critical of the IFBB and its policies, announced that he will return to his home continent of Australia at the end of June for his contest preparation.
The “So What?”: Initially, IFBB officials intended to vote on Priest’s reinstatement on Olympia Weekend, but they fast-tracked the process to give Priest a chance to qualify for the 2008 Mr. O. show. Andrew Oye’s verdict: Competitors in the 210 & Under divisions and 202 & Under classes at the various pro shows best be on alert. Things are about to get interesting.
