OPEN CLASS:
The 2008 IFBB Europa Super Show turned out to be everything it was billed to be-a rematch between last week's PBW Tampa Bay Pro Champ, Toney Freeman and 2nd place finisher Dennis "The Menace" James. Freeman brought his A-game on this night and dazzled the judges and the packed crowd with oodles of shredded muscle on his 6'1" X-frame. James challenged the "X-Man" with his own version of outrageous muscle mass and conditioning on what reminded most in attendance as the "Old Dennis James". While Freeman emerged as the champ (for the second week in a row), James proved that he's back and he's here to stay!
Fouad Abiad from Canada proved that even a relative unknown can steal the thunder from seasoned veterans like Darrem Charles, Johnny Jackson, Will Harris, and Quincy Taylor when they show up with copious amounts of striated muscle. Abiad's peaked physique was just too much for these other guys to deal with and, for his efforts; the judges awarded him with 3rd place and a qualification to the Mr Olympia contest in late September of this year.
When Will "Word" Harris stands in any lineup, his silhouette always places him among the sport's best. However, bodybuilding is about posing and viewing the physique from all angles. While Will looks great just standing there and hitting his front and side poses, he has trouble opening his cobra-like back from behind and he lacks detail in his lower back and glutes. Despite these shortcomings, Big Will was still able to manage 4th in this ultra-competitive lineup.
2008 Arnold Amateur Champion and MD Cyber Classic Runner-up, Tarek Elsetouhi, displayed classic lines, incredible abs, and thick quality muscle. For his efforts, the judges rewarded Tarek with 5th place and silent nod that he's now a bonafied top IFBB pro.
UNDER 202 CLASS:
With Giant Killer David Henry absent from the line-up, last week's PBW Tampa Pro Under 202lb runner-up, James "Flex" Lewis, became the heir-apparent and collected unannymous 1st place votes en route to winning the first IFBB Pro Show of his short, yet exciting, career. Lewis' awesome conditioning, great stage presence, and freaky leg development made him the judge's favorite child on this night.
Nipping at Lewis' heels was veteran competitor Roc Shabazz (2nd) from Atlanta, Georgia. Shabazz has continually improved over his last several outings and, when compared pose-for-pose with Flex, many in attendance thought Shabazz had him beat. While Flex Lewis has wheels from hell and a so-so upper body, Shabazz packs a symmetrical physique with an equally balanced upper and lower body. According to Shabazz, he eagerly awaits the rematch at the Olympia 202 Showdown.
3rd place finisher Jaroslav Horvath of Slovakia showed impressive muscle mass that was tightly packed onto an ideal skeletal frame of wide shoulders and small waist. Had Horvath displayed the kind of conditioning in his glutes and hamstrings that he did on the front side of his body, he may have taken home the grand prize to his wife and 2-week old twins babies. Look for this Slovakia sensation to be a dangerous threat at the Olympia 202 Showdown.