I attended the NPC Southeastern held each June in Gadsen, AL. It is a GREAT show and one of the best run in the area.
Gustavo was the headline guest poser. Overall he was a big disapointment I am sad to say.
He came out on stage white/pale as a sheet with no tan or pro tan on at all. He wore these little white socks on his feet which looked pretty bad. He was not in very good shape and lacked charisma or crowd appeal. I was surprised to see just how bad his pecs looked. I heard some remark how he looked NOTHING like his pics , which he did not seem to sell a lot of. He may be a great, decent man. But he failed to make any real effort to connect with this crowd.
Roc Shabazz is a new lower tier Atlanta based pro , starting his pro career after winning the recent Lt HVy class at the nationals. What a huge difference between his attitude and personality and Gustavo Badell's.
Roc still serves as an NPC judge and is very involved with the amatuer bodybuilding.I have judged with him a couple of time here in Ga. He is now active in the dvelopment of youth fitness with a formal program. He has been featured in the recent FLEX and the next M&F. Roc had a really friendly demeanor and stole the show at this event. He did a creative routine useing 2 new pro fitness girls who served as opening act and dancers to add to his routine. He came out in a full cape with a neat looking batman face mask.Granted he was NOT in great shape, but he was BIGGER than ever and had awesome stage pressence. It was a valid attempt to bring some much needed , well thought out, entertainmnet value to a guest posing routine. He also exhibts an aura of modesty and not taking himself too seriously while still looking confident and together. I think Roc Shabazz exhibits what EVERY pro needs to do in order to make this sport better. Despite Badell's top tier pro rank standing ,his display table paled in comparison to Roc's. Badell satt there, with the a few 8x10 pics and his DVD. Roc on the other hand had a couple huge posters pics, his lovely wife, a huge selction of pics and some cool t-shirts . I bought a t-shirt off him and they were a very reasonable 10 bucks .
Roc may not ever place as high in the O as Badell, but, I bet he will have more lucrative and memorable career.
