IronMagLabs presents coverage of the 2014 Europa Supershow
CHRISTIAN DUQUE'S 212 BREAKDOWN
It's funny what 10lbs can do. As entertaining as the 202 was, the 212 has become a real-life brawl on stage, with lighter guys beefing up and larger guys scaling down. It's a class that's got the fans in a frenzy. It seems every guy walks around with the hope they'll topple Flex Lewis and dominate the division - there's a real sense of pride among these guys. I yet have to see a 212 competitor come into a contest looking like dogshit.
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The Dallas Europa gave us a very deep lineup - so much so that I found the 212 to be more entertaining than the Open. As of writing this, I only know the Top 3, but I have some ideas to share nonetheless.
1st - In a repeat of yesterday, Cisternino nailed it again. Unlike the guy who's supposed to win the Open, Guy wasn't just "good enough" to win, he brought it. Insane Most Muscular and excellent posing, everything fell into its place when he got on stage. I think he knew he was the winner - both on paper and in reality. He didn't race through his poses and he even nailed some throwbacks. I think he could have been a little bit harder (pecs perhaps), but given what he did yesterday, he did his homework. Incredible look for him. 
2nd - Moba Edwards. The lighting wasn't kind to him today (he was in a shadow for quite a bit), but he clearly brought a very strong package. He too showed a great deal of skill in his posing routine and when he posed in the Top 3 comparisons, you could tell he was probably the better choice for runner-up.
3rd - Thomas Benagli REALLY moved up!! I've been impressed with him since I reached out to him for coverage on Muscle In The Morning. At first, I expected he would look good (based on what I'd seen from him in the past), but when I got his photos, I saw some real potential. I wanted to make damn sure he was included on the show (timing was bit hectic). I loved his posing routine and during the Top 3 comparisons, I honestly think he out-posed Moba. He had incredible control of his mid-section and he was totally in the best light on the stage. Some guys go up there and pose half-assed knowing they're getting third - that was not the case with him. He was as hungry in top 3 comparisons as in the prejudging, where he got first callouts. His color & music were also spot on. CONGRATS!!
Notable Mentions
I honesty had Lorenzo Jones in 3rd before the judges announced their Top 3; his legs were outrageous and he brought a very loud, passionate cheering section with him. His posing was excellent, so much so that Dave called his "the best routine" of the day.
Baitollah Abbaspour - Team Menace's guy - was great in the prejudging, but seemed to fall asleep during the comparisons; one commentator said he resembled a corpse (Lol). He had what it took to win the contest but sabotaged himself. It's said that Dennis James was irate; Baito improved his posing today and seems to have come in even harder; but I towards the end he started to fade again. Also, you have to realize that aside from being ridiculously muscular & hard - he was doing vacuum poses with jaw-dropping front double biceps pose - and he wasn't even gasping for air or cramping. This guy has a MILLION DOLLAR PHYSIQUE.. maybe what he needs is sniff some ammonia or maybe get a shot of adrenaline. I'm not trying to diss the guy, but I'm a little annoyed b/c I he was the winner in my book - and - he didn't even come out of shape for the finals. YOU HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THIS - his physique WON the show, but his heart just wasn't there. I've never seen this before.
Cory Mathews (1/2 of Them Texas Boys) really brought it today. Chris Aceto was convinced he was going to move up (and may well have - CHRIS YOU'RE GOD!!). For me, Benagli & Mathews were battling for 5th, but in reality Thomas took 3rd, so it's very possible Cory edged out Jones and Baito. Just spoke with him and he's confirmed he'll be doing an interview with me for RxMuscle, BOOM!!!!
If anyone deserves 6th place it's Derik Farnsworth - the lights hurt a lot of guys today, namely him, but his posing was just a cut above from everyone else. Although Dave & Chris didn't have time to read it, Derek gave me a quote right before hitting the stage today, he stated:
"Just want the fans and peers who have been non stop texting and facebooking to know ... You make me feel like I won..I did this for me and my fans & friends. You fucking rock!!
I got a shitload of texts becaue of Live Stream...RxMuscle rocks!!"
Last, but not least.... I'd like to thank Dave, Chris & Johnny for awesome coverage!!
And everyone on the Rx Team - Curt on Twitter & Gail on facebook. And of course me, the Duke of RxMuscle - I did a pretty
fantastic job too. Lol
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