Southern States contest promoter Peter Potter has outdone himself again by putting on an incredible show 
this year, although I almost didn't get in to cover it! Since the show is literally in my back yard (You can see the roof of my house from the auditorium), and because I've known Peter Potter for years, I didn't think to ask for a press pass well enough in advance. I just called Peter last night and left a message. I got to the will call booth and asked for my pass and the crotchety old attendant gave me such a scowling negative response I felt like one of the homeless people who camp out in the park next to the auditorium. Hey, I'm not going to be homeless until next week! I'm not trying to come in and take a sponge bath in the men's room! I need to cover the show... Nothing doing. Luckily, a kind hearted fan (is there any other kind?) noticed my plight and motioned me over. He had me wait there and went back stage to see Mr. Potter. Hr returned with a press pass for me and a gracious invitation at the behest of Mr. Potter to join him back stage. When I did, I was well received (not like a homeless person) and granted any convenience needed. All I need was access and that's what I got - to everyone and everything. I was even invited to give out the Men's middleweight trophy along with Rich Gaspari. But enough about me...
The show was awesome. Over two days competitors in Bikini, figure, fitness, men's fitness, men's and women's bodybuilding from teen to over 70 competed for top honors. As with many amateur-level shows, the Dave Palumbo diet scored another win with super heavyweight Ryan Pateracki absolutely destroying the class and easily taking the overall. I will say, however, that for this level of competition, the battle for the overall could easily have been at the USA or the Nationals. The field was that good and not one guy was lacking in condition. But Ryan simply looked like a pro up there. Props to Ryan and score another huge victory for the keto diet.
All the way on the other end of the men's bodybuilding spectrum was young Renel Charles-- son of IFBB Pro Darrem Charles-- who won the teen overall. This kid keeps improving and I was really quite impressed with the package he and his dad put together on this night. It won't be long before this kid ably follows his dad's foot steps onto a pro stage. It's written all over him.
The women bodybuilders looked equally impressive, as did figure, fitness, and bikini in a variety of age groups ranging from over 50 to teen. There were so many women competing this weekend in fort Lauderdale that even just mentioning the winners of each class is going to eat up too much band width. Check out our archives and follow along. The number of women was just staggering, and the quality has to make the various fields very tough to judge.
On hand to entertain the crowd were a slew of gust posers that really were top notch. Marcus Haley, Flex Lewis, X-Man Toney Freeman, Billy Wilmore, and a ginormous Kai Greene who looked so imposing and so thick no one even noticed he cut his hair. Perhaps it was because Kai's trip was unexpected--he was filling in at the last minute for a bereaved Victor Martinez-- that he didn't do "anything" to get himself ready for this appearance, but I have truly never seen a human being that incredibly gigantic. Don't get me wrong, the other guys were too, but next to Kai they were just big bodybuilders. Kai looked like something not yet classified. He just didn't look human.
 |
 |
 |
And, of course, as most bodybuilding contest do, the big show was the audience. There were more fit, beautiful, people walking around than you could imagine. And, damn, some of those women do dress with the least amount of fabric possible. Many of our loyal forum members were on hand and I met as many as possible. You guys sure do know how to make a guy feel good! Thanks for all your support!
Congratulations to all the winners and all of you should be very proud of the incredibly well-conditioned lineup you created. None of the class winners were lacking in condition. For a regional-level show, this one looked like it could have been the top.
