Following a contest, sometimes I like to sit back for a couple of days and let the event sink in before I pen my observations. This year's IFBB New York Pro had a lot of facets to it that are not normally part of my scope, so I needed to digest and assimilate what had happened.
First off, it was interesting that the competitive mix of the show was a bit streamlined. Bodybuilding shows have grown so much with the various divisions that a promoter has to now choose what Divisions he's going to showcase if he expects the show to end on the same day it started. Right now the IFBB is home to Pro Men's Open Bodybuilding, Men's Under 202 Bodybuilding, Women's Bodybuilding, Fitness, Figure and Bikini. That's six divisions requiring both a prejudging and finals.Unless you've been living under a rock, you have all heard me remark on numerous occasions that 202 Mr. Olympia Kevin English is a huge massive dude who I swear weighs 260 in the off season and never carries much body fat. How does a guy of this size squeeze into the Pro 202 Class? You want to talk about warrior dieting? Pfffff.... Kevin has taken his days of making weight for wrestling to a whole other level-- a level most of you can't even comprehend.
Whether we like it or not, some things are inevitable. While we all looked on in shock and horror as a murder case involving a top pro bodybuilder and top pro fitness competitor unfolded, knowing that Craig Titus was involved didn't surprise a single person. The case against him included kidnapping, torture, murder and a ludicrous cover up attempt - complete with a burning Jaguar in the dessert and a cross-country chase that ended in a nail salon outside Boston - only made it all the more fitting for ole Craiggers. While the shock and horror was over the fact that the guilty party was one of us, the fact that it was Craig really didn't shock anyone.
I was sitting near the front row at the XYZ Pro Show and I couldn't help but hear the familiar rant of a popular so-called "diet guru" behind me yelling in his unmistakable accent. "Oh, yes, he look very good! Very ripped... What his name?"
Some photographer answered his question and supplied the name. Next, this guru starts yelling out the guy's name- a competitor he doesn't even know - and begins instructing him from the crowd as if it's HIS client! "Yes!! That it... blow out!! Oh yes, you look great!.... Squeeze the legs... Yes, that it!!"
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