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Here are the results for the 2008 IFBB Sacramento Pro Figure Contest 1. Huong Arcinas 2. Jamie Ford 3. April Fortier 4. Kristin Nunn 5. Michelle Flake 6. Kristi Tauti 7. Desha Rodriguez 8. Carin Hawkins 9. RosaMaria Romero 10. Darlina Brown 11. Liane Siewald 12. Angela Terlesky 13. Mendi Sakamoto 14. Canice John 15. Michelle Craven 16. Waleska Valle 17. Christina Mehling 18. Tanya Merryman 18. Aida Aragon 18. Nadya Castellas 18. Maiken Emborg 18. Celeste Gonzalez 18. Carol King 18. Consuelo Rojas 18. Lynn Widdowson

WOODLAND HILLS, Calif., Oct. 31 /PRNewswire/ — David J. Pecker, Chairman and CEO of American Media, Inc.(AMI), today announced that Chris Lockwood, Mike Carlson, and Allan Donnelly have joined the editorial staffs at Muscle & Fitness, Flex and Muscle & Fitness Hers magazines, reporting to Laya Clark and Chris Scardino, Executive Vice Presidents & Co-Publishing Directors of AMI’s Enthusiast Group. The Group includes these three publications, their web sites, Mr. Olympia, and other related events and brand extensions. In making the announcement, Mr. Pecker said, “One week after naming Laya Clark and Chris Scardino to head our Enthusiast group, we’ve completed our team by bringing in Chris Lockwood as editor-in-chief of Muscle & Fitness with Mike Carlson as his #2, and promoting Allan Donnelly to be executive editor of Flex. This gives us the most forward thinking, authoritative editorial staff of any publication that targets serious fitness enthusiasts.” Mr. Clark said, “Chris is one of the most knowledgeable writers on the planet on the subject of fitness and nutrition and his vision for Muscle & Fitness will make it the primary source for cutting edge information in these areas. With Mike Carlson as executive editor, we now have two of…

Many of us are coming in to see the biggest NPC show of the year, with a ton of IFBB pro cards given out to the top class placers in bodybuilding and figure. It is going to be a great contest in Atlanta at November 21-22, at the Grand Ballroom Hyatt Regency. Mens and Womens bodybuilding prejuding starts at 4:30pm on Friday, while figure begings at Saturday at 8am. All finals will starts at 6:40pm on Saturday. You can call Pam Betz for tickets at 407-876-4467, or email her at pambetz@aol.com

The 2009 Ironman Pro is moving its date, from two week before the Arnold Classic, to six weeks before the Arnold Classic, on January 24-25, at the Los Angeles Convention Center.  Here is a video of LT interviewing Ironman Magazine owner John Balik and promoter of the contest explaining the move. LT interviews John Balik

The new came fast and furious Friday morning over this announcement in which Laya Clark and Chris Scardino were being promoted to the top positions. What is going on with Peter McGough, who has been an icon at the Weider offices, running Flex and Muscle & Fitness for a long time now. Peter was on of the most informative and knowlegable people in bodybuilding circles. As Friday rolled along, it seems that Peter had resigned, and will be taking a lesser role as an editorial consultant, and that a few other people will also be promoted to run Flex and M&F seperately. Here is the press release that came out late Thursday, and tune in for additional information next week. American Media Inc. Names Laya Clark and Chris Scardino Executive Vice Presidents & Co-Publishing Directors of AMI’s Enthusiast Group of Fitness Titles NEW YORK, Oct 23, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ — David J. Pecker, Chairman and CEO of American Media Inc. (AMI), today announced that Laya Clark and Chris Scardino, currently Group Publishers of Muscle & Fitness, Flex and Muscle & Fitness Hers magazines, have been named Executive Vice Presidents & Co-Publishing Directors of the AMI Enthusiast Group. The Group…

Supplement industry guru Mel Rich passed away on Octover 18, 2008, after a long battle with cancer. He was 64 years old. Mel was born on November 29, 1944 in New York. Mel was married to Ronnie, and has two daughters, Hallie and Barrie. Mel always believed that science should be at the root of all dietary supplement formulations and he always valued efficacy over marketability. As a child, Mel used to do work for his father, Sidney Rich, founder of Phoenix Laboratories Inc., stuffing cotton in bottles. After graduation, Mel began working the family business, but was drawn to the dietary supplement side of manufacturing and soon became the industry’s “go-to” person for any company who wanted to develop unique and credible products. Mel began to formulate and manufacture products for Great Earth Vitamin Stores. In1988, Mel and the Rich family purchased the Great Earth franchising company, and Mel became president of Great Earth. In the 1996, Mel created Bodyonics Ltd., and its brand, Pinnacle®. Mel developed many “firsts” for the dietary supplement industry, including a mega-potency multiple vitamin, a patented time-released process for use in dietary supplements and an antioxidant formula. “Mel Rich always believed in the vision…

It was a sad day on Saturday, October 18th, we I woke up, and found out that Ben Weider had passed away. He was an icon, and up until his passing, a person that was very aware and still came every year to the Olympia event, as he just did a few weeks ago. I got to meet Ben Weider a number of times, and one of my favorite honor was when Ben called my name on stage at the 2007 Olympia, and thanked me on stage. Here are some pictures I took from the 2008 Olympia. You will be missed Ben. Ben  & Joe Weider Jim Manion, Dexter Jackson and Ben Weider on stage Ryan DeLuca with Ben Weider Vince Scalisi and Dave Conlon with Ben & Joe Ron Avidan with Joe & Ben  Bev Francis and Steve Weinburger with Ben Russ DeLuca with Joe & Ben Isaac Hinds with Ben Rob Wilkins, Bob Cicherillo, Dan Solomon and Robin Chang with Ben

Funeral service from Paperman & Sons at 3888 Jean Talon West on Monday, October 20 at 1 pm in Montreal, Canada. More inforation, call 514-733-7101. Burial at the Victorian Cemetery Association, de la savane. Shiva strictly private. Please respect the family’s wishes to observe shiva in the strictest of privacy. Contributions in his memory may be made to the Ben Weider Jewish Community Centre. 514-737-6551 or to the Cardiology Research Fund, Jewish General Hospital Foundation. February 1, 1923 – October 17, 2008 Ben Weider, sports leader, scholar, businessman, and philanthropist, known and honored worldwide for his pioneering work promoting and organizing the sport of bodybuilding and groundbreaking work as a self-taught but hugely influential and popular Napoleonic historian and author, died suddenly Friday in Montreal, city of his birth and lifelong home. He was 85 years old. Beloved husband of Huguette Derouin for 49 years. Devoted father and father-in-law of Louis and Linda, Eric and Renee, Mark and Natalie. Cherished grandfather of Aisha, Joseph and Vanessa. Dear brother and brother-in-law of Joe and Betty, Freda Yankofsky, the late Jacob, the late Louis and brother-in-law of Bertha Levy and Andre Derouin. About the Ben Weider Jewish Community Centre. The Ben Weider…

From a canadian newspaper…  MONTREAL, Oct 18, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) — Ben Weider, sports leader, scholar, businessman, and philanthropist, known and honored worldwide for his pioneering work promoting and organizing the sport of bodybuilding and groundbreaking work as a self-taught but hugely influential and popular Napoleonic historian and author, died suddenly Friday in Montreal, city of his birth and lifelong home. He was 85 years old. In his more than sixty years of involvement in bodybuilding, as Founding President of the International Brotherhood of Body Builders (I.F.B.B.), Mr. Weider worked in close association with his older brother Joe Weider, an iconic figure known as the Father of Modern Bodybuilding. The Weiders anticipated, then led, the worldwide fitness revolution and legitimized bodybuilding — training with weights to build strength and musculature — in all of athletic conditioning and healthful exercise for the general public. The I.F.B.B., founded by the Weiders in 1946, has 173 member national federations worldwide and sanctions thousands of amateur and professional competitive events. Mr. Weider’s achievements in Napoleonic history were as notable as his work in organized sport. Mr. Weider’s knowledge of health, through his work in bodybuilding, led him to doubt the generally accepted theory of Napoleon’s…

Dexter Jackson took the long trip across the ocean to visit Romania, where he promptly logged another win with his new title as the 2008 Mr. Olympia! Ronnie Rockel, who placed 14th at the Olympia, took second place here, while Martin Kjellstrom took third. While fans of Martin Kjellstrom were happy with his third place finish, is it fair for Martin to be able to compete in the 2009 Olympia over others that are more qualified, but couldnt make the trip to Romania. That is the question that has been asked in terms of qualification to the big O.  Here are the complete results for the 2008 Romanian Grand Prix. 2008 IFBB Grand Prix Romania Scorecard Results

With the IFBB Men’s Pro season now complete, the 2009 season starts a litle earlier than normal.  For the IFBB Ironman Pro contest has been moved up next year. Instead of being two weeks before the 2009 Arnold, it is now 6 weeks before, on Saturday, January 24th, at the Los Angeles Convention Center.  That means that in order to compete in this contest, you need to start dieting now. It also means that with the top FIVE at this contest qualifying for the 2009 Olympia, we are going to have a pretty diverse and interesting contest as to who will compete. For many of the seasoned veterans have to decide whether to peak here and also at the Arnold, or just forgo the Ironman, and assume they have an invitation for the Arnold. Never is a better time for someone who thinks they deserve to compete at the 2009 Olympia to do his best, and snag a top five placing here.  The Ironman is one of my favorite contests of the year, as we never know who is going to be in shape and who will surprise us for the new season. This year is the 20th anniversary of…

Dexter Jackson will be going to Timosoara, Romania to compete in the 2008 Romanian Pro Grand Prix, which will be held on October 11th. The top three at this event will qualify for the Olympia. Here is the competitor list so far… 1.  Khalid Almohsinawi, Netherlands 2.  Hanni Glanville, United Kingdom 3.  Dexter Jackson, USA 4.  Martin Kjellstsrom, Sweden 5.  Cesar Mendible, Venezuela 6.  Migger Milazzo, Germany 7.  Manfred Petautschig, Austria 8.  Ronny Rockel, Germany 9.  Armin Scholz, Germany 10.  Sergey Shelestov, Russia 11.  Tommi Thorvildsen, Norway 12.  Ricky Welling, United Kingdom

At the 2008 Ironman Pro, Isaac vs. Ron went at it in the Gladiator Jousting Challenge, and Ron pulled through, with a blow that sent Isaac off the ground.  At the 2008 Olympia, once again, the two went out it again, while Lonnie Teper was the emcee of this event. Two rounds, and the so-called ‘Experts’ fought there way towards a battle in which LT gets knocked down at the end!

Ok, well maybe we aren’t the ‘experts’ out there, but Lonnie Teper, Isaac Hinds, and Ron Avidan do manage to have lots of fun, and enjoy the Olympia weekend to it’s fullest. Right after the results of the 2008 Mr. Olympia, we made a video discussing on what we thought, who won, and if our predictions that we made actually came true. Here is the video of ‘The Experts’ that evening. 2008 IFBB Mr. Olympia Experts Discussion Video

Many thought it could not happen, but it did. Dexter Jackson beat Jay Cutler to win his first Mr. Olympia title. Jay, again, was not at his very best at Friday night’s prejudging, but managed to lose 12 pounds by Saturday night to fare much better, and even win the night. However, the point spread was too much from Friday, and Dexter was crowned the champion. It was an unreal moment, and Dexter received a huge standing ovation that last for quite a long time. Phil Heath, in his first Mr. Olympia, reached the upper stardom with 3rd place, proving that he isn’t just all talk and no action. Prove he did, prompting some people to say that Phil might even win next year. Here are the complete results, along with the scores. 2008 IFBB Mr. Olympia Scorecard Results

Adela Garcia was injured this year, so she didn’t compete, which guaranteed us a new Fitness Olympia winner.  And Jen Hendershott dominated this year, exploding to another win in the year in which we heard retirement rumors from her.  Tracey Greenwood placed second in her best Olympia showing yet, and Kim Scheideler (formally Klein) placed third. Here is the complete scorecard results of the contest. 2008 Fitness Olympia Scorecard Results

Over a favored Gina Aliotti in the hype before the contest, Jenn Gates became the third Figure Olympia champion as she looked absolutely perfect. Jenny Lynn, last year’s winner, came in 4th place, while Zivile Raudoniene looked spectacular in her third place finish. Here are the complete scorecard results from the Figure Olympia. 2008 Figure Olympia Scorecard Results

There is no stopping Iris Kyle. Once again, she has won the Ms. Olympia contest, and four times out of the last five. It truly was no contest this year. Iris again looked great, and defeated Betty Viana-Adkins, Yaxeni Oriquen-Garcia, Lisa Aukland and Dayana Cadeau, in that order. Between second to fifth, the scorecard was extremely close, and the final round did matter, when many say it doesn’t. Here are the complete scorecard results. 2008 IFBB Ms. Olympia Scorecard Results

Well, it is time to work out, even when you are in Vegas at the Olympia Expo. That is because Muscletech is setting up a full size gym on the floor to work out! They are also having the following athletes give seminars / training sessions there.  This gym will also be available for the attendees for a free workout.     Friday: 11-12: Branch Warren 12-1: Richard Jones 2-3: Deshaun Grimez 3-4: Joel Stubbs Saturday 11-12:  Deshaun Grimez 12-1: Richard Jones 2-3: Shaun Crump

Wow. Six IFBB contests were held in Atlantic City, New Jersey on Friday and Saturday, with two weeks left to go before the Olympia Weekend begins. For Bodybuilding and Fitness, this was the last time to qualify for the Olympia, and there were quite a few that competed. Melvin Anthony wanted to show everyone that he will be a force to be reckoned with at the Olympia, defeating Johnnie Jackson and Darrem Charles here, who took second and third. Heavy favorite Toney Freeman dropped to 4th place, while Joel Stubbs took 5th. King Kamali, who we predicted would do well, did improve from his last contest, but still placed 6th. For complete results, click below 2008 IFBB Atlantic City Pro Men’s Complete Results The Master’s Atlantic Pro Men’s Bodybuilding looked like the other men’s show, except missing from the lineup where Melvin Athony and Johnnie Jackson (who are not 40 yet). Here are the scorecard results. 2008 IFBB Atlantic City Pro Masters Men’s Complete Results Can anyone stop Tracey Greenwood? It doesnt look like that, as she has dominate the contest she has entered in the last few months, although coming to the Olympia, it is a whole new ballgame….