2010 IFBB Phoenix Pro Championships Line Up

2010 IFBB Phoenix Pro Championships

February 20^th in Mesa, Arizona

Preview by Shawn Ray

Top Guns:

Troy Alves: Born September 26, 1966 this former 2002 Mr. USA Winner, and reigning IFBB Europa Orlando Pro Champion of 2009. Troy is very strong when in condition most notably with his tiny Waist, detailed Back and excellent Symmetry. Troy has to rip up the Hams & Glutes while holding onto his hard earned size at the ripe old age of 43. Standing 5’8 tall and competing at roughly 220lbs, Troy is actually getting better every time out on the contest stage! The 2009 Mr. Olympia was a disappointing set back placement wise for Troy but his appearance was not far off the mark and truth be told could have arguably landed in 10^th place. That said; look for the “Phoenix Son” to land somewhere in the Top 3 or Victory lane!

Hidetada Yamagishi: Born June 30, 1973 Japans first Pro Bodybuilder to compete in the Open Mr. Olympia, Hide is a man on a mission! Coming off his best Pro finish of his 4 year Pro Career finishing in the 1^st Runner up sport to Troy Alves in Orlando this past April, Hide went onto to finish the 2009 season by placing 9^th at the Mr. Olympia. This will be Hide’s 4^th Pro Contest in less than a year which is hard for anyone but for him it works standing roughly 5’5 and competing at or near 215 pounds. Hide is a masterful Poser but like Troy, he will need to have the detail in his Hams and Glutes to match the rest of his package to get the win here. No question a Top 3 Candidate in this show!

Melvin Anthony: This 40 year old veteran of the Mr. Olympia stage and title holder of the NY Pro, Atlantic City Pro Championships has found himself outside of the top 10 in the Mr. Olympia for the 1^st time since 2001. The 1999 Mr. USA Champion has got to find a way to bring back the quality “Detail” he had only 1 short year ago to be considered a threat to win here. Melvin has been slipping in his condition and getting beaten by guys who normally would never beat him. His Shape and Structure are sound, Posing is second to none but he is soft where he should be hard and smooth where he should be ripped. Such are the Questions that only he holds the Answers to. This contest for Melvin is where he will either Sink or Swim. Not an easy test here but his conditioning and hardness all over is what he really needs to bring to this fight in the desert storm! At 5’7 225lb he has the tools but can he rise to the occasion?

Quincy Taylor: Born July 12, 1969 this former 2001 Mr. USA Overall Winner sat out all of 2009 and placed 16^th at the Europa Pro in his last contest in 2008 so they are many questions here to be answered for Q. Recently QT relocated back to Las Vegas from Texas and is hoping to put together a string of Contests to compete in since he’s been away for awhile which leaves me a bit skeptical as to whether he will nail his Peak on his 1^st try back. With that, QT will have to concentrate on his detail while holding his size. Thighs, Hams and Back have to spot on or the biggest guy on stage will have trouble cracking the top 5.

Toney Freeman: Born July 30, 1966 Toney arguably on paper has this contest to lose. The winner of the 2009 IFBB Sacramento Pro this past November while coming off an 8^th place finish at the Mr. Olympia, Toney will have to serve notice quick and swift if he is to put himself in contention for a crack the more prestigious event of the year the Arnold Classic only 2 weeks later. Toney will be the 2^nd largest competitor onstage behind QT but notably the most visible. At 43 years old, this will be the true test of the most experienced guy onstage. Standing 6’2 competing at 295, Toney again, will have to bring in the Quad separation and thin out his skin more than the Sac Pro. He will need to rid his body of the water just under the skin that blurred his detail at the Olympia and cost him a couple of spots and dollars! Toney should be top 3 if not the winner here.

Stan Efferding: Born November 6, 1967 “The White Rhino” is known as The Strongest Bodybuilder however, none of that matters in a Physique Contest. Stan earned his IFBB Pro Card this past July at the Masters Nationals and he will be making his Pro Debut here in Phoenix. At 42 years old Stan is a Big Boy and gets in decent shape, he will need to have brought up his arms and packed more meat on his wheels to be competitive here but he’s in good hands with Flex Wheeler as his Trainer.

Dan Hill: Born February 21, 1986 another IFBB Pro making his Pro Debut. The youngest IFBB Pro on the scene at the ripe old age of 23, Dan earned his Pro Card after winning the Jr. World Championships in 2007. This Heavyweight will surely get a lesson learned the hard way as the talent pool here is deep and mature. Dan needs to bring his Biceps up a lot to match his strong legs. Either way, its refreshing to see a young guy like Dan do battle with cagey veterans here, he can only move up after this contest.

Check out Dan's Progress as he prepares for the Phoenix Pro: http://mdtv.musculardevelopment.com/contests/2010-pheonix-pro/2647-big-dan-hill-prepares-for-the-phoenix-pro.html 

There is sure to be some late entries into this contest but these guys are committed and we look forward to kicking of the 2010 season with a bang!

At stake: Top 3 Finalists qualify for the 2010 Mr. Olympia Contest in Las Vegas in September.

February 20^th: The event location is the Mesa Arts Center, 1 E Main Street, Mesa, AZ 85211-1466, and the host hotel is the Marriott Phoenix Mesa

For more info visit: www.strykerx.com