Written by Team MD
16 June 2013

ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH

Colorado’s Allen Richards sweeps top honors at 2013 Junior Nationals.

finalsreport

Report by Peter McGough

At this year’s NPC Junior Nationals Championships staged in Chicago on June 14/15 the overall title was awarded to Super- Heavyweight winner Allen Richards. The affable 26 year old from Denver, Colorado bested 15 other Super- Heavyweights and a further 60 competitors spread across the other six divisions to join a list of overall champions that includes Lee Haney (1982) and Phil Heath (2005). No pressure, Allen. Seemingly smiling throughout the weekend, Richards’ smile at being announced overall champ looked worthy of being awarded a Colgate sponsorship. However, this scribe really did think that the heavyweight champ Marc-Antoine Andrade by virtue of better upper body development would pip the Colorado native for the overall crown. A disappointing factor was that, as with so many national level contests in the past couple of years, those striking full contest ready condition were in the minority. Nevertheless this was a packed two days of muscle put on superbly by ace promoters Pam Betz and husband Rod Larsen for the 13th consecutive year.

Here’s a reprise of the seven weight categories disputed.

BANTAMWEIGHTS: HOMETOWN WIN

This came down to a duel between Chicago’s own Fernando Pedraza and Shane Cooper from Sioux City, Iowa. In the end the more muscled Cooper won the day even though Pedraza was drier and had more back detail.

LIGHTWEIGHTS’ ALEX IS ACE

In a three-man line-up this was a pretty clear win for Alex Drake of Lubbock, Texas. He had better overall shape than anyone. His width in particular caught the eye, as did his excellent back double biceps pose enhanced by flared upper lats.

WELTERWIGHTS: TIM’S TIME

Arizona’s Tony Botelho and Colorado’s Tim Ward were the two front-runners here. I though Botelho’s better leg development would take it, but in the end Ward’s shapely upper body took home the bacon.

MIDDLEWEIGHTS: NEWMAN, NEW CHAMP

Glen Newman was a standout here. The possessor of a super frame and good proportions he had well developed thighs, striated hams, peaked biceps and a terrific back – all dialed in. Second-placed Kevin Johnson can progress if he sharpens up.

LIGHT-HEAVYWEIGHTS: AARON’S NIGHT

Aaron Kanner with impressive upper body took this class, although I felt the better proportions of runner-up Jordan Jankowitz --backed by by great thighs and hams – should have earned him top spot.

HEAVYWEIGHTS: MARC TAKES IT

Marc-Antoine Andrade was impressive in taking the heavyweight class. He has rounded musculature evenly distributed and was pretty well conditioned. If second place Francisco Rodriguez has been contest ready he would have pushed Andrade harder.

SUPER HEAVYWEIGHTS: RICHARDS’ THE MAN

This was a battle between the lines of Allen Richards and the more rugged muscularity of Brandon Beckrich. At day’s end Richards – backed up by superior legs – was number one on the scorecard. If he improves his arms he can make further advancement. We will see the impressive Beckwith again and the physique of third-placed Lawrence Ballinger has potential written all over it.

For full coverage of the 2013 NPC Junior Nationals click here.

 

SEE ALL THESE COMPETITORS & MORE IN OUR 2013 JR. NATS GALLERY