It's all over here in beautiful Cleveland, Ohio, as the 2009 IFBB North American Championships have finally concluded. With pro-cards up for grabs for all genres of both master and open classes, it was a long haul to the end. As always, promoter Gary Udit and his crew pulled it off without a hitch and should be complimented for the smooth and quick night show. Everyone was given the chance to stand onstage tonight and deservedly so. You can read what happened here, or you can check out the video wrap up featuring highlights of the top posing routines and overall comparisons.
All week people have been asking me, "Who are the favorites for the North America?" to which I responded, "Ask me Friday night and I might have a clue."
WARNING: the phonetically challenged can see the PRE-JUDGING WRAP-UP VIDEO HERE with video highlights from the stage.
As the clock strikes midnight here in Cleveland, following pre-judging (part 1) of the IFBB North American Championships, I got my clue as to who the winner might be. His name? Shawn Rhoden (SEE PICS HERE). After a seven year self-imposed break from the sport, Rhoden came back bigger, harder, and all-around better.The 2009 IFBB EUROPA SUPERSHOW took an unordinary path to a predictable result. Held at the Dallas Convention Center in Downtown Dallas, Texas, Ed and Betty Pariso put on yet another seamless production. This year's production included the pro show, NPC competition, MMA, supplement EXPO, and even a bunch of rare and classic cars.
Steve Weinberger just called to tell me there's an update to the IFBB Pro Card allotments at this year's Optimum Nutrition NPC Team Universe Bodybuilding, Figure and Bikini Championships and Met-RX National Fitness Championships. This year's event will be held on September 18-19, 2009 at the Tribeca Performing Arts Center, in the best damn city in the world (NYC).
Tampa, Florida, August 8, 2009: "What are the judges looking for?" It's a question that has loomed large for as long as women's bodybuilding events have been contested. And on Saturday night at the Tampa Performing Arts Center, the final results of the Tampa Pro Bodybuilding Championships left scores of fans and the competitors wondering the same thing.
