467 competitors competed in Las Vegas at the 2009 NPC USA’s, and 17 of them turned pro.  But for men’s bodybuilding, only the top three overall become pros out of 7 classes, which makes it tough to see someone as deserving as Tamer El-Guindy win his class, but lose out one of the overall cards to another. 

In the Heavyweight class, Mark Alvisi was the favorite, and did not disappoint, beating out an incredible Lee Banks who some people said that he should of won the class. Fred Smalls, Vladamir Sizov and Zinjun Croon took the other placings, and Mark Alvisi went on to get the overall too.

In the Middleweight class, there was no stopping Daryl Gee. From when I saw him at the NPC Los Angeles contest a week prior, the man’s physique was incredible. Just incredible. This guy, who didnt compete for 3 1/2 years, just came out of nowhere to dominate, and with that, received the second pro card. No one in this class came near to one of the most incredible Middleweights we have seen in a long time.

In the Super Heavyweights, Grigori Atoyan won his class, and also took the third overall pro card. Grigori has been waiting for this day for a very long time, and beat Keith Williams and Robert Burneika for the class win. But in one of the biggest upsets, at least in my mind, Grigori took the third overall pro card, while Tamer El-Guindy watched in amazement.

In the Light Heavyweight Class, Tamer El-Guindy looked spectacular, in the best shape of his career. The battle was between Branden Ray and Tamer, but Matthew Lowden, and Shaun Crump also looked great. Tamer won the class, and many of us thought he would be getting that third overall pro card. But he didn’t. Huge disappointment for many out there.

Complete results, including competitor number, score and more can be found here for eacah of the NPC USA’s contests, including Mens, Womens, Figure and Bikini. Please click below: