On Saturday, May 10th, at the Tribecca Performing Arts Center at BMCC, New York, the 2008 IFBB New York Bodybuilding Contest will be held, along with the Shawn Ray IFBB Men’s 202 and Under Contest. For those of you in the New York and surrounding areas, here is your chance to check out some of the best IFBB Men and Women competitors make it to the stage to qualify for the 2008 Olympia. Here is more information on the contests.
The top five men on the main contest qualify for the Mr. Olympia. The Tribecca Performing Arts Center is located at 199 Chambers Street, New York. The athletes meeting is Saturday at 10am. For more information, you can go to www.bevfrancis.com.
Here is the list of competitors, in alphabetical order.
Men
1. Jason Arntz, USA (202)
2. Elvis Brown, United Kingdom
3. Jimmy Canyon, USA (202)
4. Gianluca Catapano, Italy
5. Brian Chamberlain, USA
6. Alfonso Del Rio, Spain
7. Charles Dixon, USA
8. Guy Ducasse, USA
9. Tarek Elsetouhi, Germany
10. Oleg Emelyanov, Russia
11. Abiu Feliz, USA
12. Kai Greene, USA
13. David Henry II, USA
14. Roland Huff, USA (202)
15. Neset Icli, Netherlands
16. Leo Ingram, USA
17. Tricky Jackson, USA (202)
18. Ken Jones, USA
19. Louis Joseph, Canada
20. Emro Karaduzovic, USA
21. Martin Kjellstrom, Sweden
22. Daron Lytle, USA (202)
23. Don Long, USA
24. Evgeny Mishin, USA
25. Sergey Ogorodnikov, Russia
26. Bola Ojex, Nigeria (202)
27. Ronny Rockel, Germany
28. Roc Shabazz, USA
29. Joel Stubbs, Bahamas
30. Henderson Thorne, Canada
31. Zoran Vejic, Serbia
32. Ben White, USA
33. Nathan Wonsley, USA
Women
1. Fabi Antoine, Belgium
2. Mercedes Bazemore, USA
3. Debbie Bramwell, USA
4. Sarah Bridges, USA
5. Kim Buck, USA
6. Maria Calo, USA
7. Giusy Caputo, Italy
8. Tina Chandler, USA
9. Angela Debatin, USA
10. Heather Foster, USA
11. Aurelia Grozajova, Slovakia
12. Rosemary Jennings, USA
13. Debi Laszewski, USA
14. Cathy LeFrancois, USA
15. Elizabeth Gomez Meza, Mexico
16. Colette Nelson, USA
17. Jeannie Paparone, USA
18. Annie Rivieccio, USA
19. Saskia Salemink, Netherlands
20. Antoinette Thompson, USA
21. Dena Westerfield, USA
Vyotech and Muscletech present the 2008 GNC Series 2008 IFBB California State Pro Figure Championship, which will be held on May 24, 2008 at the Veteran’s Memorial Auditorium, located at 4117 Overland Ave, Culver City, CA 90230.
Prejuding begins at 11am, Finals will be at 6:30pm.
With this show, the NPC California State Bodybuilding and Figure Championships will be held.
Here is the current California IFF Pro Figure List as of May 5th.
1. Huong Arcinas, USA
2. Darlina Brown, USA
3. Stacy Clary, USA
4. Meriza DeGuzman, USA
5. Andrea Dumon, USA
6. Maria del Figueroa Consuelo Rojas, Mexico
7. Heather Mae French, USA
8. April Fortier, USA
9. Celese Gonzalez Leandro, Spain
10. Nancy Georges, USA
11. Heather Green, USA
12. Yamanaka Kiyoko, Japan
13. Anna Larsson, Sweden
14. Michele Mayberry, USA
15. Petra Mertl, USA
16. Leslie Morris, USA
17. Hazal Nelson, USA
18. Kirsten Nicewarmer, USA
19. Nicole Pitcher-Scott, UK
20. Felicia Romero, USA
21. Zhanna Rotar, USA
22. Tammy Strome, Canada
23. Masae Tagami, Japan
24. Kristi Tauti, USA
25. Angela Terlesky, USA
26. Waleska Valle, USA
At the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvannia, on Saturday, May 3rd, Amy Fry won the 2008 IFBB Pittsburgh Pro Figure contest. This was the second IFBB Pro Figure contest of the year, and it was an exciting one. Second place was Nicole Wilkins, and in third, was Teresa Anthony, in her pro debut. This contest was held in conjunction with the 2008 NPC Pittsburgh Bodybuilding, Fitness and Figure championships.
Here are the results for the 2008 Pittsburgh Pro Figure Results
1. Amy Fry
2. Nicole Wilkins
3. Teresa Anthony
4. Heather Mae French
5. Shannon Meteraud
6. Heather Green
7. Catherine Andersen
8. Huong Arcinas
9. Bernadette Galvan
10. Allison Williams
11. Hazal Nelson
12. Tivisay Briceno
13. Melissa Pearo
14. Rosa Maria Romero
15. Nicole Pitcher-Scott
16. Melissa Montanaro-Griffin
17. Brenda Marie Smith
18. Tammy Strome
18. Laura Sutter
Saturday, May 2nd was family day at the Avidan house, and the family decided to go to a carnival, fundraiser and more to a special charter school, one which was named after Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. Many people have not know that there is a school named for Arnold, which was renamed in July 2007. Here is the press release on it from last year.
In honor of Governor Schwarzenegger’s commitment to the education of all California children, today the CHIME Charter Elementary School will be renamed in honor of the Governor, to the CHIME Institute’s Arnold Schwarzenegger Elementary School. Located in Woodland Hills, the newly renamed elementary school is part of the CHIME Institute.
“I am honored to have a high-quality institution like CHIME Charter Elementary named in my honor. The CHIME Institute shares my commitment to educating all children,” said Governor Schwarzenegger.
CHIME Institute implements a co-teaching model where general and special education teachers provide curriculum and learning experiences that meet the needs of all students.
Congratulations to Shawn and Kristie Ray on the birth of their second daughter. Isabella Blu Ray was born on April 30th, at 9:22pm in the evening. She weighed 6 pounds 14 ounces, and measured 19 1/2 inches long. Isabella’s big sister, Asia, is going to have a whole new person to share all her toys with now!
Being released in some limited theaters on May 30th, the semi documentary movie Bigger, Stronger, Faster is about steroids, and its affects on our culture and more. It was showcased at a few film festivals, the last being the 2008 Sundance Film Festival, and Magnolia Pictures is bringing it to the big screen. Here is some information on this movie, which is sure to bring more discussion on the Getbig boards and through various bodybuilding circles.
In America, we define ourselves in the superlative: we are the biggest, strongest, fastest country in the world. We reward speed, size and above all else: winning - at sport, at business and at war. Metaphorically we are a nation on steroids. Is it any wonder that so many of our heroes are on performance enhancing drugs?
From the producers of Bowling For Columbine and Fahrenheit 9/11 comes a new film that unflinchingly explores our win-at-all-cost culture through the lens of a personal journey. Blending comedy and pathos, BIGGER, STRONGER, FASTER* is a collision of pop culture, animated sequences and first-person narrative, with a diverse cast including US Congressmen, professional athletes, medical experts and everyday gym rats.
At its heart, this is the story of director Christopher Bell and his two brothers, who grew up idolizing muscular giants like Hulk Hogan, Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger, and who went on to become members of the steroid-subculture in an effort to realize their American dream. When you discover that your heroes have all broken the rules, do you follow the rules, or do you follow your heroes?
For more information, please go to:
Bigger, Strong, Faster Movie Info
When we were in Boise, we got a chance to speak to Kevin Levrone about what is new in his life, and various subjects including his upcoming movie titled “I Am”. Kevin started to shoot the move in Castle Rock, Colorado around October 2007, and it is slated for a Fall 2008 release.
To check out the interview, please go to:
Kevin Levrone Interview with Ron Avidan
Here is a synopsis of the movie. A film with the passion and exciting, raw emotional drama of Romeo and Juliet, I AM is the story of a young man who has always been everything to everyone. Marvin The Great Pearl is a man who is truly blessed in life and succeeds in everything he pursues; class president, valedictorian and star athlete turned global icon. He is in the midst of beginning his political career when through personal tragedy, or perhaps divine intervention, he finds that he is losing the most important thing in his life. It also happens to be the one thing in this world that he cannot control through his own power. And with the two most powerful words on the planet, I AM, Marvin is confronted with the decision of his life and death!
For more information on the movie, please go to:
I Am Movie Info and Trailer
American Gladiators season Two is currently taping at the Sports Arena, and we find out that there are about 16 American Gladiators (as there is also an Australian and English version that is new too).
So far, we know of seven new American Gladiators which include Jet (female winner from last season), Pheonix (female with pink hair), Panther (female), Steel (female), Hurricane (male with pink, blond and black hair), Zen (female), and Rocket (male).
And yes, Siren and Venom, Justice and Wolf are still there, and many others from Season One are there and competing. Others, including Fury and Stealth, are still injured.
And there are lots of new events, for a total of 15 events for Season 2. New events include Tilt, Atlasphere, Vertigo, Rocketball, Snapback, and Skytrack.
More to come soon…
At the 2008 Orange County Muscle Classic contest on April 19, 2008, I had a chance to meet Rory Leidelmeyer, who Lonnie Teper and a few others call him ‘The Greatest Bodybuilder never to turn Pro’. The guy is still dynamic, and looked pretty cool, and had a lot of admirers when he competed 25+ years old. The guy is 53 years old, and still looks fit. Here is a pic of him.
For more on Rory and other stories, please go to:
Lonnie Teper’s Blog April 21, 2008
Muscle Beach is getting a face lift. The weight pen on the beach in Venice, California, will be closing on May 8th, and the renovated weight pen will reopen with great fanfare on May 17th, 2008 at 2pm. $50,000 in new equipment will be introduced, courtesy of Bodybuilding.com. The area will also receive a new flooring, courtesy of Headblade.
Many special people will be at the Grand Opening, including the five inductees from last year’s show, as their plaques will be unveiled along the Walk of Fame. Jack LaLanne and Franco Columbu have also confirmed they will be there.
To those who can make it, it will be a special event. See you there.
Larry Pepe, on the Pro Bodybuilding Weekly Radio show, got out of Jay, the honest answer on who he thinks will be the top five at the 2008 Mr. Olympia. Here is Jay’s prediction on who they are.
1) Jay Cutler
2) Dexter Jackson
3) Phil Heath
4) Dennis Wolf
5) Kai Greene
Missing are some noteworthy competitors, including Melvin Anthony, Silvio Samuel, and Gustavo Badell. The reason that Victor Martinez is not on the list, is that we all assume he is bypassing the Olympia due to injury, and will concentrate on the 2009 Arnold Classic instead.
The tentative list is out for the 2008 New York Pro Men’s contest, which will be held on May 10th, 2008 at the Tribeca Peforming Arts Theater, at 199 Chambers Street, in New York, and it looks like it is going to be a good contest. 32 competitors have signed on, and here is the list. Top favorites include Ben White, David Henry, Charles Dixon, and Ronny Rockel. Of course, one name that we have heard that is doing the show, but not on the current list is Kai Greene. Thus, expect a few more competitors on this list soon.
1. Jason Arntz, USA
2. Elvis Brown, United Kingdom
3. Jimmy Canyon, USA
4. Gianluca Catapano, Italy
5. Brian Chamberlain, USA
6. Alfonso Del Rio, Spain
7. Charles Dixon, USA
8. Guy Ducasse, USA
9. Tarek Elsetouhi, Germany
10. Oleg Emelyanov, Russia
11. Abiu Feliz, USA
12. David Henry II, USA
13. Roland Huff, USA
14. Neset Icli, Netherlands
15. Leo Ingram, USA
16. Tricky Jackson, USA
17. Ken Jones, USA
18. Louis Joseph, Canada
19. Emro Karaduzovic, USA
20. Martin Kjellstrom, Sweden
21. Daron Lytle, USA
22. Don Long, USA
23. Evgeny Mishin, USA
24. Sergey Ogorodnikov, Russia
25. Bola Ojex, Nigeria
26. Ronny Rockel, Germany
27. Roc Shabazz, USA
28. Joel Stubbs, Bahamas
29. Henderson Thorne, Canada
30. Zoran Vejic, Serbia
31. Ben White, USA
32. Nathan Wonsley, USA
Here is the current list for the 2008 IFBB New York Pro Women’s bodybuilding contest, which will be held on May 10th, 2008 at the Tribeca Peforming Arts Theater, at 199 Chambers Street, in New York.
1. Fabi Antoine, Belgium
2. Mercedes Bazemore, USA
3. Debbie Bramwell, USA
4. Sarah Bridges, USA
5. Kim Buck, USA
6. Maria Calo, USA
7. Giusy Caputo, Italy
8. Tina Chandler, USA
9. Angela Debatin, USA
10. Heather Foster, USA
11. Aurelia Grozajova, Slovakia
12. Rosemary Jennings, USA
13. Debi Laszewski, USA
14. Cathy LeFrancois, USA
15. Elizabeth Gomez Meza, Mexico
16. Colette Nelson, USA
17. Jeannie Paparone, USA
18. Annie Rivieccio, USA
19. Saskia Salemink, Netherlands
20. Antoinette Thompson, USA
21. Dena Westerfield, USA
Ah, leave it up to an encounter in Boise, Idaho at the 2008 Boise Fitness Expo where Jay Cutler himself decided to talk to Ron about his pick of who will win the 2008 Mr. Olympia. A few weeks back, in a heated moment on the boards, I got caught up into the action, and, in a moment of passion, said that Dennis Wolf is going to win the 2008 Mr. Olympia. Originally, I had Jay Cutler as my top prediction, but when Lonnie Teper went with Jay (and since Lonnie is usually wrong), Dennis Wolf was the choice.
Well, Jay Cutler himself wasn’t too happy with me. Click below for the pics and story of Jay guest posing and more.
Jay Cutler at the 2008 Boise Expo
The Iovate group of companies is very pleased to announce its recent acquisition of the Xenadrine family of brand names, and as well the Cytodyne brand names, and others, from Nutriquest Inc.
Joining the Iovate family of brands will be the following brand names: ANDRODYNE, CYTODYNE, CYTOPLEX, CYTOTRIM, INSTANT EFX, ISODYNE, METHOXYPRO, PHOSPHAPLEX, TARAXATONE, THERMODYNE, XENADRINE, XENADRINE EFX, XENADRINE RFA-1, Z-MASS, XENADRINE SLEEP PLUS, XENADRINE-NRG, XENADRINE 40+.
The addition of these powerful brand names will have a tremendous impact on your business and ours, and we are excited to be able to offer you products under these brands in the very near future. Iovate plans to immediately reformulate the existing products, and to launch a host of new products under these newly acquired trademarks.
Presently, the process of formulation, reformulation, packaging design and marketing is underway; and in true Iovate-style, we promise to deliver the most effective products, the most eye-grabbing packages, and the most powerful advertising, to ensure these new products impress consumers and retailers alike. The results are going to be spectacular!
We hope you share our excitement about this great news, and we will be presenting more indepth information very soon. We also ask for your support as we make this transition and return to full distribution.
As always, we would also like to thank you, our most valued partners, who have made the largest contribution to our success over the years. We greatly look forward continuing, and expanding, our relationship in the future.
Sincerely,
The Sales Department
Iovate Health Sciences, Inc.
