Final Report: Pro Bodybuilding Weekly Assessment

In wrapping up the PBW Tampa Pro experience, we saw a few things unravel that set the stage for a few more upcoming shows in Connecticut, Jacksonville, Dallas and then Detroit prior to the Olympia Weekend in Las Vegas September, 24th & 25th. First, we saw the fall of an Iron Warrior in the form of Hidetada Yamagishi Winner of this years Europa Orlando Pro this past April, who had to pull out of the show due to a Quadriceps injury sustained prior the show. He made it through Prejudging but not without a few whispers as he was in the 1st Call out in a stiff line up many felt he should not have been in. It was revealed in between Prejudging and the Finals that he could not go on to finish the show thereby pulling out and becoming a spectator after competing in every IFBB Pro Show this year sans the Australian Pro in March. Many experts including Mr. Olympia, Jay Cutler cautioned Hide about his contest ambitions and now we will all have to wait and see as Hide announced he will not compete in the Europa Connecticut Pro on July 24th and possibly have to sit out the upcoming Mr. Olympia Contest where he placed a solid 9th less than a year ago.

In the Pro Bikini Division, we witnessed a bit of History as we bore witness to the youngest Professional on the IFBB Pro scene after one week of receiving her Pro Card, go on to victory here and qualify her for the Ms. Bikini Olympia in September! Nicole Nigrini 18 years old, fought back a sure bet in the form of Jaime Baird who arguably could have won this title. Just as formidable was the exotic looking Vanessa Campbell who would go on to round out the top 3 Olympia qualifying spots.

The Pro Women Bodybuilders yielded a surprise winner from Europa in the form of Brigita Berzovac who by the end of Prejudging had me cheering her on to victory! In her Pro Debut, this former European Champion came out fighting with a display of sleek lines and quality detail. Pleasing on the eyes, Brigita fought hard against cagey veteran, Cathy LeFrancois who by all accounts was the contest favorite but her added size may have lead to her demise. Pushing Brigita was Texas resident, Tina Chandler who moved up one slot from a year ago where she served notice to the world that she was here to stay! Tina had beautifully sculpted Abs, a tremendous amount of muscle on her Back and balance that showed her hard work had paid off since last year Olympia debut. Tina has the shape and conditioning that could easily land her in the top 5 of the Ms. Olympia this year if she brings what she brought to Tampa with more detail. Cathy LeFrancois was the most decorated female competitor onstage with 3 NY Pro wins and an Ms. International Title to her credit but sadly, she began to flatten out as the show wore on. At first blush she appeared much bigger than she did at the New York Pro held this past May but she lacked the quality detail by comparison to the two ladies that placed ahead of her here. She will be ripped and ready come Ms. Olympia weekend she promised to be in top form!

The Pro Men’s 202 Winner hailed from Massachusetts and is no stranger to winning with the exception of the fact this was his First IFBB Pro win! Jose Raymond displayed a highly muscular and balanced package which helped him to victory. While he was not 100% shredded, he was in fact the best of what was on the stage. Had barely made the weight the previous day putting him at the top of the weight class which helped the 5’3 Monster hold off a vastly improved Steve Namat. Steve became the first ever Hungarian Pro Bodybuilder to be heading to the Mr. Olympia Contest in its 45 year existence! Arguably, Jose was the biggest competitor in this class and with more refinement before next weeks Europa Pro in Connecticut; he could be looking at a victorious weekend for the second time in as many weeks.

Steve Namat is a study of “Consistency and Perseverance.” This kid fought for this placing in the midst of being deported back to Hungary due work permit issues, as he tried to work hard and put food on the table for him and his wife. Steve was on cloud nine and with good reason, what he did Saturday night had never been done before by any of his countrymen. For this reason alone, it is a testament to his dedication to improve as the judges took note of his efforts and rewarded him in kind. Rounding out the top 3 was perennial contest favorite, Tricky Ricky Jackson from Kentucky. The reigning Europa Dallas Pro Champion of 09 came into this with a cocksure attitude to do some serious damage but sadly in this business “Timing” is everything. Ricky had his trademark Posing down pat and received the award for Best Poser along with Clarence Devis in a “Tie” but he was left wanting by night’s end, as he was regulated to 3rd place behind two very deserving competitors. Tricky has vowed to defend his Europa Title in a few weeks back in Texas where we could see a rematch of sorts with Jose Raymond thrown back into the mix so stay tuned for the Grudge match!

The Open Pro Men answered a lot of questions for both Athletes and Fans alike on Saturday night where we saw “The Show Stopper” Ben White turn out the lights on the “Phoenix Sun” Troy Alves. Ben came in with the most complete package of his 3 years on the IFBB Pro scene and did so by adding 20 additional pounds of muscle! Ben, while not the best poser on the stage, displayed a confidence worthy of a Champion. The former USA Winner went heads up with last years Europa Orlando Pro Winner, Troy Alves who also won a USA title back in the day but would leave him wanting in the end. Ben had more of everything Troy had which ultimately added up to Victory for Mr. White. Troy while vastly improved from his 5th place finish earlier in the year in Arizona, lacked the Fullness Ben White had when it came to Muscle Bellies. Troy was ripped in all the right places and in front of a different panel of Judges could been the Victor. This rematch won’t have to wait long as they two will square off next week in Connecticut for the “Do over!” In the Third place slot, we’d find the World’s Strongest Bodybuilder in the form of Texas’ Johnny Jackson who had redeemed himself by fighting back the “Water Demon” that had plagued him earlier in the year. Johnny by far had the Best Upper Torso on the entire stage that said, he needed more of everything on his lower half to be complete. While Johnny showed very good conditioning onstage he would have needed “Great Conditioning” to move up a notch or two on this night. In fourth place we saw Indiana’s resident Pro and former National Champion of 2008, Ed “Second to” Nunn fighting back the frustration of missing the Olympia qualification by one spot. Ed was Big, Thick and Tight in all the right places, I personally had him in the top 3 following the Finals. Ed will have to continue to bring up his ever improving Pecs and Shoulders while bringing down his Lats to fill out and balance his physique. He has nothing to be ashamed of here losing out to these athletes whom many agree could have been moved around and places changed with little to no argument. Our fifth place finalist hailed from Australia, Michael Kefalianos who has got to be wondering what he has to do to get some love from the Judges? When standing alone, one could argue Mike for the win! However, when you put him next to these Genetic Freaks, all of Mike’s freakiness gets over shadowed by Gods Gift of Shape and Symmetry to the guys placing ahead of him. Mike was peeled from head to toe and arguably looked better than some who placed ahead of him but while posing Mike would relax his gut too much making it distracting to many in attendance but most notably to the IFBB Pro Judges themselves. This is something Mike is going to have to control and later master if he wants to move up the ladder.

The line up was deep with many other notables who brought the Freaky Size and Conditioning like Paco Batista who’s quiet simply a BEAST! As well, the welcome return to the stage in the form of one Brandon Curry who had an Honorable Mention and whom I felt could have broken into the top 5 without much fuss but he was regulated to 6th place instead for his efforts. He’s young and has time on his side he just needs to bring up the Hamstrings a little more and project more onstage to help him stand out and he’ll be just fine. Not bad for a 2 year lay off from competition!


Overall the PBW Tampa Pro showed a few things in its 3rd year we were all very pleased to be a part of. First off this show yielded all First Time Winners on the Pro Stage. Secondly, there were 12 Olympia Qualifications given out. Finally, Contest Promoters Tim & Brandi Gardner really know how to put on a Contest! The NPC Portion was just as exciting and deep in talent not to mention the Class B and Overall Figure Winner was none other than Brandy Curry (wife of IFBB Pro, Brandon Curry)! Big congratulations to her only 7 months after the birth of their child! As well, congratulations to the Gardner’s for all their hard work and efforts you are loved by all including supporters: Mr. Olympia, Dexter Jackson, MC’s- Bob Cicherillo & Dan Solomon, Ben Weider Life Time Award recipients, Rich Gaspari & this years winner, 8 Time Mr. Olympia Lee Haney! The production held at the Performing Arts Theater to the Host Hotel at the Grand Hyatt in Tampa were all first rate including the Prize Money Awarded in excess of $30,000 to the Finalists and Awards that were the best I’ve seen in awhile making it all the more memorable for the Athletes and Fans!