ANDREW OYE’S PRO-MUSCLE REPORT (THE ARCHIVES - 4)
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ARCHIVE’S OF MY PRO BODYBUILDING COLUMN: "ANDREW OYE’S PRO-MUSCLE REPORT"
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The Headline: OLYMPIA BOUND: TRICKY JACKSON – “I PLAN TO BLOW UP THE STAGE WITH MY POSING ROUTINE”
By Andrew Oye
The Item: Career Updates/Contest Preparation
The Scoop: Athlete to Andrew: I hit up IFBB PRO Richard “Tricky” Jackson to get the word on his prep for the Olympia 202 Showdown (September 27). Jackson’s last show was the Europa, where he placed 8th in the Under 202 Division. Tricky’s training game plan for the big show remains the same. “My training is always a pyramid format during competition phase. It’s the best of both worlds. Some heavy weight and some volume sets. I’ve lightened the weight and now focus on reps and drop sets.” Eight months on a Palumbo-designed have led to a drop in strength. “I had followed a no carb, high protein and moderate fat plan. But I seem flat because my fat has been low for months. So now I add carbs every 4th day.”
As for his competition, Jackson says, “The only person that might be out of reach is Dave Henry. If Dave nails his conditioning, it’s his show to lose. My only advantage over him is my presentation. Everyone else is beatable or I can hold my own with them, if you throw out the hype. My goal is Top 5, which is realistic if the show is judged fairly. If I can crack 192 lbs. with my normal conditioning and balance, I’ll become that guy to beat. And, of course, I plan to blow up the stage with my posing routine.” After The “O,” Jackson will host the NPC Bluegrass Muscle Classic in Lexington, KY (October 11). “I’m also working with mostmuscular.com and Posedown Magazine. We’ll see where this takes me in 2009.”
The “So What?”: From Muscle Stage to movie screen, Jackson has made the leap to action star. “I’ve had an interest in acting for years but never wanted to move to Cali,” says the father if three, who will appears in “The CBC”" (Cross Bone Click), a futuristic, urban, action-sci-fi action movie he calls “a cross between X-Men and Boys ‘N the Hood.” Jackson plays Mr. Pleasant, a high-ranking officer in a special task force policing a mutant society. “I am the muscle of our unit - go figure. I can’t wait to see [the finished film]. I may continue to pursue acting after I finish bodybuilding.” Andrew Oye’s verdict: As a writer in both war zones, I’m not sure which is more hazardous - bodybuilding or Hollywood.
Check out the trailer at www.trickyjackson.com or
www.t-macproductions.com/cbc/
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The Headline: MARVELOUS MELVIN MESMERIZES AT THE A.C. PRO
By Andrew Oye
The Item: Contest Results
The Scoop: Just Announced: Over the weekend, “Marvelous” Melvin Anthony claimed victory at the Atlantic City Pro Bodybuilding Championships in New Jersey. The 5’8”, 240-pound, posing sensation used diced conditioning to rack up the second overall win of his pro career. Anthony was followed by the 2007 Atlantic City Pro champion, Johnny Jackson (2nd place). The 5’8” 255-pound powerlifter - who struggles with balancing a massive upper body with weaker calves - brought a tighter package than he did at the Europa last month. After a triple blunder at the Houston Pro, Tampa Bay Pro and Europa, a super-cut Darrem Charles rebounded in Atlantic City and placed 3rd in the Open Class and 1st in the Masters Class. For their efforts, the Top 3 finishers secured qualifications to compete at the Mr. Olympia contest in Vegas in two weeks
The “So What?”: Anthony finished in 4th place at the 2007 Atlantic City Pro. A name that has been off people’s lips in recent months, Anthony needed this latest victory to remind folks that he is a major player who took 6th place at the 2007 Mr. Olympia. Andrew Oye’s verdict: With his signature dynamic stage presence and a tad more “dialing in,” Anthony will remain a top-shelf contender at the biggest contest of the year.
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The Headline: DOUBLE-CHAMP LAVOIE LEAVES NORTH AMERICANS WITH PRO CARD
By Andrew Oye
The Item: Contest Results
The Scoop: Just Announced: Over the weekend, Canada’s Marc Lavoie emerged a twofold champ at the IFBB North American Bodybuilding and Figure Championships in Cleveland, OH. In a single night, the French Canadian captured two pro-qualifying titles, taking first place in the Men’s Open Division and the Masters Overall Division. This dual-champion finish officially opens the door for Lavoie to the IFBB’s professional bodybuilding arena. In the overall showdown, Lavoie used a well-conditoned physique to beat the top placers in the other classes: Kirk DeFrancesco (Super-Heavyweight), Chulsey Graham (Light-Heavyweight), Hugo Alejandro Ortiz Alfaro (Middleweight), Travis French (Welterweight), Bernabe Ramirez (Lightweight) and David Williams (Bantamweight). The last of the night’s three pro cards was awarded to Dale Hicks, winner of the 50+ Masters.
The “So What?”: At the 2007 Canadian Championships, Lavoie placed 2nd in the Master’s Class and 3rd in the Open Heavyweight Class. When the 2008 North American contest commenced, Lavoie’s name was still missing from the official competitor’s list; yet, he swept the show by the night’s end. Andrew Oye’s verdict: From the front, Lavoie displayed eye-catching quad sweeps, but the magic happened when he turned to the back to unleash remarkable glute-hamstring tie-ins and an impressive V-taper in the Rear Lat Spread pose
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The Headline: SUPER CUTLER & SUPERHEROS STOP AT SAN DIEGO SPECIAL EVENT
By Andrew Oye
The Item: Guest Appearances/Event Promotions
The Scoop: Just announced: IFBB Pro and reigning Mr. Olympia Jay Cutler will make an appearance at the 2nd Annual 619 Muscle Parking Lot Bash & Supplement Expo in San Diego this Saturday (August 23) from 11am-3pm. “Our event promises to be HUGE with some of the biggest names in our game. Our goal is to get the customers excited, but to also educate them on great products,” says Pete Ciccone, President/Founder of 619 Muscle, whose motto is: “We Build Superheroes!” The superheroes who will also grace the event include IFBB Legend Rich Gaspari, IFBB Pros Troy Alves, Brandon Curry, Derik Farnsworth, Flex Lewis and Silvio Samuel, as well as IFBB Pro Sandra Blackie and IFBB Figure Pros Meriza DeGuzman, Krissy Chin, plus more.
The “So What?”: The event will include nearly 30 vendors, live music by Rock 105.3 FM, a sexy bikini contest, live spray tanning, Gaspari’s “SuperPump” contest, free product samples, giveaways, raffles, massive sales and inventory blowouts, and a $5,000 transformation contest prize award ceremony. Ciccone adds, “Our goal is to invigorate our region with the spirit of aggressive health and generate powerful interest in the products we carry.” Check out www.619muscle.com for more info. Andrew Oyes’s verdict: I’ve worked with Ciccone. He’s a good guy with good intentions to help grow the industry. (Plus, he’s got a cool Mustang with the 619 Muscle logo plastered on the window.)
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The Headline: BIG BRANCH BOWS OUT OF THE BIG “O”
By Andrew Oye
The Item: Injury Updates/Contest Lineup
The Scoop: Just announced: IFBB Pro Branch Warren officially withdrew his hat (okay, his posing trunks) from the ring and will not compete in the 2008 Mr. Olympia contest next month. The reason: he tore the triceps of his left arm when the mountain of muscles tumbled down about 10 or 12 steps. He heard the snap [“POP”], felt the sharp pain [“POW”], and [“POOF”], in an instant, knew his plans to hit the Olympia stage had gone up in smoke. “I slipped while walking down a flight of steps at my house,” Warren explains. “When I tried to catch myself and stop the fall, the quick, sudden, movement caused a small tear in my triceps where it attaches at the elbow.”
The irony is that Big Branch had torn the triceps of his right arm during a workout a few years ago. Well, it’s key for bodybuilders to aim for balance, right? Anyway, he claims, the pain from this new injury hurts more because he can’t rationalize it as a war wound resulting from hardcore contest preparation. Sadly, Warren considered himself to be at his all-time best in terms of physique improvements. Over the weekend, while folks were having a super time at the Europa Super Show in Warren’s backyard (the state of Texas), Warren had the tendon surgically repaired. Warren insists he’ll continue training his lower body (as if he needs it) while the arm heals. He intends to return to his regular training schedule in six weeks and to return to competition at the 2009 Arnold Classic.
The “So What?”: So far, the (officially announced) body count before the 2008 Olympia includes Kai Greene, Victor Martinez and Branch Warren. Are there more to come? Andrew Oye’s verdict: Rookie pros and overlooked vets, step your game up! Opportunity is knocking. Rack your weights and open the door.
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The Headline: FREEMAN & FLEX FETCH FIRST-PLACE FINISHES AT EUROPA
By Andrew Oye
The Item: Contest Results
The Scoop: Just Announced: In a repeat of last week’s showdown in Tampa, USA’s Toney “X-Man” Freeman battled with Germany’s Dennis “the Menace” James for top billing at the Europa Super Show in Dallas, Texas over the weekend. The taller, streamlined Freeman once again bested the compact, powerfully built James in the Open Class. “I don’t think it was as close as it was last week,” says Freeman, who beat James by 14 points this go round. “I didn’t peak for [the Tampa Bay Pro]. I didn’t peak for [the Europa]. The goal is the Olympia. I expect to win every time out.” A rookie on his second year in the pro field, Canada’s Fouad Abiad achieved his best placing at this level, finishing third and qualifying for his first Olympia.
In the Under 202 Class, England’s James “Flex” Lewis added fullness to his cuts and bumped up a slot from his 2nd place finish in his pro debut in Tampa. “This is something that I’ve dreamed of doing since I was 15 years old…to actually win my second show,” gushes Lewis. Flex will be joined in the Olympia 202 Showdown by USA’s Roc Shabazz (2nd place), who brought better overall body balance than his top opponent, and Slovakia’s Jaroslav Horvath (3rd place) who, visually, sports a vicious V-taper.
The “So What?”: The stacked Europa lineup included the likes of Darrem Charles, Johnny Jackson and Quincy Taylor, who all failed to crack the Top 5. Andrew Oye’s verdict: With Muscle Stage vets either wallowing in lower-place spots or dropping out of the running, the Atlantic City Pro (September 12) will be a bloody dogfight for the remaining qualifications for tickets to the Big “O.”
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The Headline: ROAD TO THE EUROPA: FOUAD ABIAD – “I’M GUNNING FOR MY OLYMPIA QUALIFICATION”
By Andrew Oye
The Item: Career Updates/Contest Preparation
The Scoop: Athlete to Andrew: I caught up with IFBB Pro Fouad “Hoss” Abiad for a report on his prep for the Europa Super Show (August 16th). Abiad’s road to the Europa is paved with hard work. “Sacrifice without regret! I live and die by that quote. My current weight is 245 lbs, and I feel like shit, so I must be doing everything right,” he says with a laugh. Abiad is paying dues, chipping away at the bodybuilding mountain one contest at a time. The Europa will be his forth appearance on an IFBB stage. “The 2006 Atlantic City Pro was my first show, but it was one week after I received my pro card, so it was more just to see what it was like than to actually compete. I consider the 2007 Montreal Pro, where I took 5th, as my pro debut.” He recently competed in the 2008 Houston Pro, where off-the-mark conditioning resulted in a 7th place finish.
Last week, Abiad finished 5th at The Tampa Pro Show. “I deserved my placing at the Tampa show. It was a marked improvement from the Houston Pro in a bigger lineup. I always want to be better but that will come with time. I’d like to be better conditioned throughout the upper body, and I need more overall size in most muscle groups. When I achieve these things, I’ll be closer to the winner’s circle.” Yet, the Hoss has no plans to tweak his modus operandi for the Europa? “I don’t have any new strategy. Same old thing – kill the cardio, deplete and load up for the show. Try and come back with better conditioning but maybe a couple pounds heavier on the carb load.” Still, Abiad’s goal is clear. “I never make predictions, but I’m gunning for my first Olympia qualification. There are a lot of big names I’ll have to contend with at the Europa, but as long as I bring my best game, I think I will fare well.”
The “So What?”: Fans can follow the sweaty drama of Abiad’s life and career in his blog at www.fouadabiad.blogspot.com. “I’m becoming a new distributor of GASP clothing and ramping up the clientele in my online nutrition business.” He’s also on a knowledge-sharing mission. “I truly enjoy teaching the things I’ve learned, so I’m always excited about doing seminars, online training or even guest appearances. My first DVD comes out in the fall. It’s not just a training DVD. It will show the lighter side of me.” Andrew Oye’s verdict: I’ve read Abiad’s comedic blog, so the forthcoming DVD should be entertaining.
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The Headline: ROAD TO THE EUROPA: TROY BROWN – “I’M LIVING MY DREAM”
By Andrew Oye
The Item: Career Updates/Contest Preparation
The Scoop: Athlete to Andrew: I reconnected with IFBB Pro Troy “T-Bone” Brown for an update on his prep for the Europa Super Show (August 16th). While he did not place in his last contest, the Ironman in February, Brown hopes this opportunity will up his public profile. “The Europa will be my fourth pro show. I feel this show can get me known in America. I want everyone to know who Troy Brown is.” Brown brought in a heavy hitter for advice on training and nutritional strategies. “I hired pro trainer Hany Rambod – the best in the business. I’ll also work with him in my next off-season.” Currently stacked with 225 lbs. of dense muscle, Brown heads to Texas with a positive mindset. “This is my best package to date, and I hope people will see this. I have worked so hard for this show. Whatever happens, I can pat my self on the back and say I did everything I could do.”
T-Bone hopes to close the deal on a good placing and a lucrative sponsorship “I have a few companies interested. I’ll sit down with them after the Europa and hopefully work something out. It would be a dream come true to get a contract with a great company.” After the Europa? “I want a good off-season under my belt, which can hopefully get me an Olympia qualification in 2009, so I’ll be back in the gym making improvements. If anyone is interested in filming a training DVD, drop me a line.” In closing, Brown gives props to his support system – past and present. “My amazing fiancé Meghan McCurdy has been an absolute star helping me prepare. I dedicate this show to my mother Ann Brown who passed away 12 years ago to the day of the Europa. I know she’ll be watching with pride. Also, I am ever so grateful for my fans. Your emails kept me motivated. I am living my dream. God bless you all.”
The “So What?”: Regarding predictions, Brown says, “The pro ranks are a whole new level. I’m still a rookie and to be on the same stage as some of theses guys is mind-blowing. I have to pinch myself. But I now feel I belong with the top guys in the sport. Stiff competition? You’d have to say Freeman, Jackson, Charles, Taylor and Dugdale,. My good pals Fouad and Flex Lewis are also awesome athletes. I beat Flex in 2006, but he has made some amazing improvement since then. Andrew Oye’s verdict: With humility, gratitude and a genuine excitement for the sport, Brown is one of a handful of athletes whose personality precedes his physique…in a good way.
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The Headline: ROAD TO THE EUROPA: ANDY HAMAN – “I’M JUST HAPPY TO BE HERE”
By Andrew Oye
The Item: Career Updates/Contest Preparation
The Scoop: Athlete to Andrew: I spoke with IFBB Pro Andy “Iron Head” Haman to get the scoop on his prep for his pro debut at the Europa Super Show in Dallas, TX (August 16th). “I’m 265 lbs of pure protein and hair gel,” says the prickly-haired jokester. “I feel good. I feel lean. I feel like this is all still a dream.” Haman is a much-needed breath of fresh air who injects lightness into the iron world with offbeat tactics like incorporating his kids into guest-posing gigs. “I must have too much estrogen in me. Having my kids on stage with me is more fun and rewarding than winning or crushing competitors at my stage of life. Families in the crowd love it, but I’m sure there are some young muscleheads who scratch their heads.”
Forever the positive iron-pumper, Haman is a rookie with no expectations for the Europa. “I’m just happy to be here! I’m so grateful to my wife Michelle and family for allowing me to chase my dream. We’re gonna have fun no matter what. Heck, I get to take my shirt off and ham it up! I don’t wanna know if it gets better than this!” Haman kept his training and nutritional strategies simple. “Old-fashioned hard work and lots of turkey and fish. I trained heavy early in the year, but I kept my diet clean for about 7 months, trying not to add any body fat. Then we tightened up the intensity, dropped the actual lifting time and added cardio every other day.” Predictions? “Often the best athlete/physique doesn’t win, because of other stressors or factors, so it’s hard to predict. But if Deckard, Freeman, and Dennis James come in diced, they all have a chance for top billing.”
The “So What?”: With a big personality to match his big body, Haman has been making efforts to take muscle to Tinseltown. “We continue to try to break into the Hollywood scene, but it’s rough in Colorado to get the word out. My training DVD will be out in October — a combination of training and diet info, but it also includes a lot of silly day-to-day activities. It’s called, ‘I’m Just Happy To Be Here!’ Andy Haman IFBB Pro Athlete/Really Pro Daddy!” Andrew Oye’s verdict: Haman has a fan in me for his final words: “I want what everyone else does — to be happy. I’m not a crazed musclehead who wants trouble. I don’t want people to feel intimidated by me. I want them to feel glad they spoke to me.”
Check out this video clip intro to Andy Haman’s Pro Debut at the 2008 Europa: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4mG7bMXzTA
