Last Saturday Branch Warren was in Atlanta, Georgia with plans of guest posing at Ty “Ropeman” Felder’s NPC Coastal USA Championships.
Unfortunately, Branch slipped on wet cement getting out of a car and tore his quadriceps tendon. This tear effectively removed him from competing in this year’s Mr. Olympia, less than four weeks away.
Immediately after the accident I spoke to someone in Branch’s camp and was told, “Branch fell getting out of the car. Some slick cement made him step out funny, and he felt something pop and fell slap ass on the ground. He got driven straight to the ER, and now he’s waiting to catch the first flight back to Texas.”
He also led me to believe that if Branch could still flex the leg then he would still try to continue dieting for the Olympia even with the injury.
When Branch got back to Texas and had an MRI, it was apparent that he would need immediate surgery to reattach the tendon and that he wouldn’t be competing anymore in 2011.
This isn’t Branch’s first catastrophic injury. In 2008 he tore his triceps and had to skip the Olympia. I often read posts on the boards about how Branch is going to hurt himself using his ballistic style of training but —like this recent injury —the triceps tear also occurred in a strange manner; by Branch falling down his stairs.
I called Dave Palumbo to ask him why he thought Branch would hurt himself doing normal daily activities, and he replied, “What I find interesting about Branch’s injury is that it hasn’t happened to more people! When I was competing and weighing more than 300 lbs. I had to be very careful, because when I stepped off a step the wrong way or exerted myself in a weird plane of motion I was always invariably pull muscles. As bodybuilders we are so super specialized in our muscle development that if we really think about it we aren’t really meant to do anything else. We aren’t functional. His legs are so big that when he walks he has to open his hips up to create room to bring his abductors through, and that throws your gait off.”
Not to mention at four weeks out of the Olympia, Branch is very lean and dry, making possible injuries more likely.
When I thought about what Branch must be feeling after all the money, time, and effort he spent getting ready for the Olympia, I remembered that last time Branch was injured in 2008 so was Adela Garcia, then 3 time Fitness Olympia Champion. She had torn her ACL while preparing for the show, and like Branch, she had to miss the O.
Who better to tell me what Branch might be feeling right now! So I called her, and here is what she said, “He’s definitely going to be depressed. I know for me, I was close to the Olympia and I went to the show and sat through the routines. It was very tough for me, because I was supposed to be there.”
Recently Branch has announced that he will still attend the Olympia and will also still be traveling to India for the Sheru Classic to support the event and meet the fans.
In Branch’s place, Toney Freeman will be competing in Mumbai at the Sheru Classic. Interestingly, before Sheru made that announcement I spoke with Toney about Branch and his injury. In 1995 Freeman sustained a pec tear which took him out of Nationals, so I knew he had a good idea of what Branch must be going through.
When Toney and I spoke he said this about Branch, “The main thing right now for Branch is the mindset, and that he makes sure his surgeon knows his stuff. Because Branch is almost the type of person who would want to have Lloyd’s of London insurance on his legs, cause that’s his money makers!”
I’m sure Branch agrees with Toney. And from what I hear, the surgery on Monday was a complete success and Branch is at home resting up. Toney ended our conversation by telling me that he is dedicating his Olympia prep to Branch, and that he hopes he gets well soon. What a Mensch!
Personally, I think Branch is a warrior, and that he is his best when he’s the underdog and has something to prove. Branch has more to prove than ever coming back from this injury. I expect this added adversity will bring the best out in Branch Warren and I believe that we will see him back on-stage at the Arnold in 2012.
Moe No Mo’!
I last saw Moe ElMoussawi at the Arnold Classic in 2011. To say that he didn’t look like he would be competing in the 2011 season would be an understatement. He didn’t look bad, just more like a normal guy or someone who is in good shape and exercises regularly… healthy.
When we were shooting the shit talking about the expo and the show he mentioned something that made me break out the iPhone recorder; he said, “I am planning on making a comeback at the Phoenix show. I thought I might want to quit, but it’s still in the blood… and it’s boiling now, so I’m going to get my ass back on that stage!”
Moe’s last time onstage was at the 2009 Mr. Olympia in which he placed 10th. If you are wondering what Moe's been doing with himself since we last saw him on the stage, he's now the president of the IFBB in New Zealand and has been promoting the organization and running his own businesses.
As promised, Moe was on the competitor list for the Phoenix Pro, but has since dropped out. Here is what he wrote on his Facebook page earlier today:
Back in the day you would see pictures of Kevin Levrone in the off-season at around 200 lbs. and then a few months later, he’d be HUGE, ripped, and placing in the top 6 at the O. Moe ElMoussawi’s return to the stage reminded me of those times, and I believe that he will get on-stage in Tijuana in two weeks and impress everyone. I’ve seen some progress pictures and he’s already impressed me!
Here is Moe before… and after:
If you have any feedback, tips, gossip, or just wanna say “Hi,” email me at [email protected]!
Edited by CURT JAMES.
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