Charles Wins 2007 Montreal Pro!
Darrem Charles proved, once again, that size doesn't mean a thing if you don't have symmetry and conditioning to accompany it. On this night, Charles managed to knock off the massively muscled Quincy Taylor, the thick-chested Johnny Jackson, and the"comeback kid", Chris Cormier, en route to winning to 2007 IFBB Montreal Pro Bodybuilding Classic. Charles had it all: Symmetry, presentation, and conditioning and although, after prejudging, people were talking about Cormier and Quincy Taylor; in the final analysis, Darrem's incredible conditioning pushed him to the top of the heap.
Quincy Taylor snagged 2nd place and a Mr. Olympia qualification for his efforts. Tonight's Quincy was infinitely better than the Quincy we saw at the Europa Super Show several weeks ago; however, Big Q still hasn't hit the peak I know he's capable of achieving. If he tightens up another 5-6 lbs in the next 3 weeks, he'll be a possible threat to break the top 6 at the Mr O.
Johnny Jackson secured the final Mr. Olympia qualification spot by finishing 3rd with a display of awesome conditioning and one of the best upper bodies in the show. If Johnny could find a way to bring up his quads and calves to match up with his incredible upper body, this guy will be very hard to beat.
4th place went to the man no one ever expected to return, Chris Cormier. After coming down with a life-threatening infection in his spine last year, Chris lost an enormous amount of weight and quality muscle as he lay in a hospital bed for over a month. Never one to quit, Chris built himself up little by little and vowed to return to the stage. His comeback was impressive. He brought his usual symmetrical physique to the stage; minus the level of conditioning necessary to win a show of this calliber. Also of note is the fact that Chris's right triceps muscle is partially misssing. Whether or not it's due to a muscle tear or nerve root impingment remains to be seen. If Chris tightens up for next week's Atlantic City Pro, we might get the chance to see the "Real Deal" in the Olympia, after all.
Finishing in 5th place was the 2006 Canadian National Champ, Fouad Abiad. Abiad's thick, dense, muscle and superb conditioning was enough for the judges to overlook his less than perfect symmetry. After his positive showing tonight, there's no doubt in anyone's mind that Abiad is destined to be a future pro to look out for.