Victor's transformation

[io856]

Here's a pic from the 2000 Nationals.

THAT IS UNBELIEVABLE






HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOLY SHIT

[Relentless]

So are you saying Ronnie Coleman didn't put hard work into his calves?

or

Ruhl didn't put hard work into his triceps?

or

Flex didn't put hard work into his arms?

Exactly; another poster wants to discredit others who have accomplished far more than they have in BBing.  

Here's a NEWS FLASH to some people out there....BODYBUILDING IS NOT A SPORT FOR THE "PURE."  This is a do-whatever-it-takes, get the fuckin' job done sport.  If you can't accept this fact, move on and find something else that suits your value set better.

[Rudee]

It was the 2006 Olympia.  I was there and remember thinking that he had the most
impressive silhouette of all the competitors.

The blocky waist is your idea of impressive?

[Mr.1derful]

Flex didn't put hard work into his arms?

I don't think Flex would know hard work if it bit him in the ass.

[The Showstoppa]

16" and 19"

[Deicide]

So are you saying Ronnie Coleman didn't put hard work into his calves?

or

Ruhl didn't put hard work into his triceps?

or

Flex didn't put hard work into his arms?

Ruehl was screwed genetically in the triceps department...

[io856]

Ruehl was screwed genetically in the triceps department...

exactly my point

[Deicide]

exactly my point

Hardcore, all the way hardcore.

[New Hank Wood]

In my opinion victor should have been run of this business years ago.  He is an untrustworthy felon.  He ripped people off in his gym business and i wouldn't put it past him that he is still up to no good.

Victor is street smart.  He came from the gutter and knows how to make a quick buck.  For this reason alone it is easy to understand why Victor found the sport of Pro Bodybuilding so attractive.  I think he finds a sense of peace in this overtly corrupt environment.

Yes, Victor finds a sense of worth in this sport.  He identifies with the drug dealers and the dirty promoters. Look, what ever makes Victor tick he should be put on notice.  He is a good for nothing dirt bag.

[m8]

He looked much better as an amateur. Now he's all synthol.

[Stavios]

Dear Gracie BJJ,
    First, you have a keen memory of the 2000 Nationals held in NYC in which Victor won the overall while Craig won the Lt. Hvy Class.  When I went with Craig to the weigh-in the night before, he hit the scales at only 192 pounds.  That year, was his most incredible conditioning ever and is something we would like to see again.  It should be noted that Jason Arntz was hired to dial him in the last few weeks.  I was a bit concerned when Jason had him eat some apple pie filling as a carbing up method.
   As Craig's training partner, I can, at times, get a bit too subjective and vocal during a show.  I remember standing close to the stage during the pose-down and screaming at Craig.  Unfortunately, I was behind 4-5 massive guys who turned out to be Vic's friends.  They were not kind to me supporting Craig. 
   In the end, I do believe Victor deserved the Overall by a very close margin only because of some "hypothetical" gyno issue that may or may not have slightly existed which categorically has not existed since.
   Since that time, Victor and Craig have become close friends and I have gotten to know Victor as a pleasant guy who NEVER takes himself to be overly important.  He is a very quiet and reserved person.
   As a side note, I was curious as to your involvement in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.  I just last Sunday competed in the Royler Gracie/David Adiv International Tournament.
Harley

yes Craig looked awesome at that show ! 
makes me believe he should drop in the under 202 class

[Relentless]

16" and 19"

I'm thinking more like 18" and 20".

[Relentless]

In my opinion victor should have been run of this business years ago.  He is an untrustworthy felon.  He ripped people off in his gym business and i wouldn't put it past him that he is still up to no good.

Victor is street smart.  He came from the gutter and knows how to make a quick buck.  For this reason alone it is easy to understand why Victor found the sport of Pro Bodybuilding so attractive.  I think he finds a sense of peace in this overtly corrupt environment.

Yes, Victor finds a sense of worth in this sport.  He identifies with the drug dealers and the dirty promoters. Look, what ever makes Victor tick he should be put on notice.  He is a good for nothing dirt bag.

Victor did not want his gym to go under.  If he was selling memberships with full knowledge that the gym would be closing, this is a damn shame.  However, I do not think Victor got into bodybuilding because he wanted to make a quick buck; there are many other ways of doing this other than attempting to become a professional bodybuilder.  If anything, that is one of the most DIFFICULT roads for one to make good money.

You do not know Victor personally I'm guessing?  He is one of the nicest pros I've met; he's very down to earth.  He is not pompous or arrogant like other professionals...or even many amateurs for that matter.  Victor is a very likable person and enjoys conversing with his fans.  Victor grew up in a large family with a rough upbringing; all things considered, he has done extremely well for himself.  He is also very giving in ways he does not publicize to the rest of the bodybuilding community. 

Hank, you seem take whatever knowledge you have about bodybuilders and SPIN it in a very NEGATIVE fashion.  Everyone has made mistakes.  Bodybuilding is no worse off than any other group of society regarding unethical behavior; it's simply a microcosm.  I, like many other getbiggers, get a kick out of your witty tirades.  However, I know Victor personally and find him to be an upstanding individual who has made mistakes just like the rest of us.  Because he's got high profile status in the BBing community, obviously everyone is going to hear about what goes on in his life.  Get off his back.

[gymguy]

How big were Vic's arms in this first pic and how big are they now?  Dude must have added 3 inches!

He gained everywhere not just in his arms. That's what happens when you add 20-30lbs.

[io856]

yes Craig looked awesome at that show ! 
makes me believe he should drop in the under 202 class

holy shit

how is such perfection even comprehended

[New Hank Wood]

Bottom line, his gym was failing financially.  He knew this yet continued taking new memberships.

I find this kind of behaviour abominable.  Victor is a scam merchant.  He has never changed his spots.

To this day Victor has not paid back one cent of this money he illegal obtained.  

What a blight on the industry.

This drug dealing, embezzler, free loader should be booted from this sport.

[io856]

I would have to disagree, the physique presentation he brings to the stage is unbelievable.

[250goal]

This drug dealing, embezzler, free loader should be booted from this sport.

Maybe this is exactly the reason why he didn't get the O last year, which in my opinion was definitely his if the judges were judging fairly.

[Danimal77]

I'm thinking more like 18" and 20".

16.75" and 19.5"

[NeoSeminole]

It was the 2006 Olympia.  I was there and remember thinking that he had the most
impressive silhouette of all the competitors.

[gracie bjj]

Dear Gracie BJJ,
    First, you have a keen memory of the 2000 Nationals held in NYC in which Victor won the overall while Craig won the Lt. Hvy Class.  When I went with Craig to the weigh-in the night before, he hit the scales at only 192 pounds.  That year, was his most incredible conditioning ever and is something we would like to see again.  It should be noted that Jason Arntz was hired to dial him in the last few weeks.  I was a bit concerned when Jason had him eat some apple pie filling as a carbing up method.
   As Craig's training partner, I can, at times, get a bit too subjective and vocal during a show.  I remember standing close to the stage during the pose-down and screaming at Craig.  Unfortunately, I was behind 4-5 massive guys who turned out to be Vic's friends.  They were not kind to me supporting Craig. 
   In the end, I do believe Victor deserved the Overall by a very close margin only because of some "hypothetical" gyno issue that may or may not have slightly existed which categorically has not existed since.
   Since that time, Victor and Craig have become close friends and I have gotten to know Victor as a pleasant guy who NEVER takes himself to be overly important.  He is a very quiet and reserved person.
   As a side note, I was curious as to your involvement in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.  I just last Sunday competed in the Royler Gracie/David Adiv International Tournament.
Harley

hows it going bro?i remember seeing craig in 94 or 5 and it was the year that had him competing against matt duvall,i think they were in different weight classes though,but man oh man when craig came out on stage the crowd and myself included knew we were looking at a future pro and in a good one at that.i was trainin at daimond gym at the time and remember arntz and the crew saying great things about craig,and believe me its hard to get praise at of those guys cause they are all pretty damn good bodybuilders imo.at the nats in 2000 i was there to support stokley palmer in the heavyweight class if i remeber right,craig looked awesome myself and the crowd knew it was pretty much between craig and victor,both looked great.i trained at renzo gracie academy in new york city for afew years and got to a blue belt,them guys are the best in bjj imo,ive rolled with georges st pierre when he was gettin ready to fight bj penn in the ufc,ive also rolled with matt serra,giant silva,kurt pelligrino and renzo.they all toyed with me and it was a humbling experiance to say the least,actually i got giant silvas back one night but he was so big(7ft 3inch 430lbs) i couldnt wrap my arms around his neck to fully rear naked choke him,lol.i moved out of state recently and have to find a new bjj school to train in,i enjoy training mma also so im being careful on what school im gonna join,i want to make sure they are credible,cause your only as good as who you train with.having solid students to train with is a must imo,cause most of the time the teacher aint always rollin with the sudents,renzo was an exception,he loved to be on the mat with his guys.thanks for all the cool stories harley,i never get tired of hearing about the inside scoop in bodybuilding

[dragonfist]

The blocky waist is your idea of impressive?

Not particularly, but in my opinion his silhouette was the most impressive at that show that night.

[Mars]

[closeline]

i remember well - all the growth happend the month before his first noc win

back then i thought he used some oil, today i wonder if i was wrong

[Cleanest Natural]

holy shit

how is such perfection even comprehended

Those 2 front shots are some of the best in the pro's right nowI think ... absolutely spectacular