Category Archives: News
2009 NPC USA Previews
Isaac Hinds has put out a very good preview on how may come home or do well with a pro card this weekend at the NPC USAs. With so many competitors, and us guessing has to who will be competing, it makes the task even more eventful. Here is Isaac’s review on some of the ones to watch.
Not to be outdone, Lonnie Teper has put out a video on who he and Alex Azarian thinks will be competing and doing well at the NPC USA’s. The video was done about a month ago, but it still shows LT’s whimsical and poignant thoughts in front of the closed Gold’s Gym Northridge. Incidently, LT will be the emcee of the 2009 NPC USA’s again, as only LT can go through 470+ names, and not make a mistake on pronouncing each one.Here is the link to the video.
2009 NPC USA Preview at the NPC Los Angeles
One of the highlights of the NPC Los Angeles show is when many of the potential NPC USA competitors that are out in Los Angeles get on stage for a preview for the NPC USA, which is one week after the contest. This year, there are a number of potential top 5 competitors that were on stage, including Tamer El-Guindy, Jermoe Ferguson and Pete Ciccone. Here are some pictures, with a slew more in the Getbig Picture section, which links to Bodybuilding.com.
2009 NPC Los Angeles overall winner – Daryl Gee
Middleweight Daryl Gee won the overall men’s bodybuilding at the 2009 NPC Los Angeles contest, and is on his way to the NPC USA to challenge some of the top Middleweights competitor, and perhpas even get his pro card. Here is Daryl Gee, moments after he won the overall on saturday, July 18th, in Culver City, California.
2009 NPC Teenage Overall winner is ineligible
Sunday, July 19, 2009
To: All Bodybuilding Press
From: Jim Manion, NPC National Office
Subject: Benjamin Loehrer
Due to age ineligibility Benjamin Loehrer has been declared ineligible as the 2009 NPC Teenage National Light-Heavyweight & Overall winner. Overall runner-up Uriah McGee will be awarded the Overall title & also the trip to Los Angeles for the Flex Magazine featured article & photo shoot. Also, all competitors in the Light-Heavyweight class will now move up a placing.
Jim Manion
NPC President
Shawn Ray joins Genr8
Retired IFBB Hall of Fame Bodybuilder Shawn Ray has joined GENr8, Inc., the exclusive marketers of Vitargo® S2. Shawn will be a Chief Consultant and Strategist to GENr8 in the areas of marketing and promotions related to bodybuilding and its athletes, both professional and amateur, creating opportunities for charity events, as well as muscle camps, pro bodybuilding competition, and sponsorship opportunities.
Shawn retired from competitive bodybuilding in 2001 after a successful 13-year career. He enjoyed 12 consecutive years as a top 5 finalist in the Mr. Olympia contest while achieving 1st runner up in both 1994 and 1996. Shawn is a writer and radio host of MD Radio with Muscular Development Magazine and has over 22 years experience in the sport ranging from competitor, contest promoter, master of ceremonies, journalist, and event organizer. “My time on the contest stage and behind the scene in the sport of Bodybuilding has prepared me for an opportunity such as this, where I can continue to help others grow while sharing the superior benefits of a patented, scientifically proven product like Vitargo S2“, stated Mr. Ray.
Shawn will be working directly with GENr8 President and CEO, Anthony L. Almada, B.Sc., M.Sc. a graduate of UC Berkeley. Anthony is a nutritional and exercise biochemist and was the co-founder and past-president of EAS. He has collaborated on over 50 university-based sports nutrition studies and has worked in the nutrition industry since 1975. “We are elated to bring Shawn onto the team. He is a uniquely business savvy retired pro athlete that brings a wealth of insight and value, and a fantastic relationship network. The value and integrity in his name and persona only add to his impressive skills and work ethic”, offered Almada.
GENr8 is an evidence-based performance nutrition company with deep roots in university research, led by a management team with over 125 years of nutrition industry experience and expertise. GENr8 has had the exclusive rights to Vitargo since December 2007 and has distribution into 4 continents. Vitargo S2 is a university proven carbohydrate with patents in 5 countries/continents. It remains the only university-proven starch-based carbohydrate with superior digestion, absorption, insulin response, and muscle glycogen refueling advantages. Current clients include numerous university and professional sports athletes and teams. Each batch of every GENr8 product is also subjected to the most rigorous testing for substances banned in sport, conducted by the only World Anti-Doping Association-experienced lab in North America.
Victor Martinez’ sister murdered
Last Tuesday, it was reported that Eridania Rodriquez was missing. She went to work in a building near the World Trade Center, where she cleaned offices, and never came out. No one knew what happened, until they found blood leaking from a ventilation shaft this past weekend.
She was found bound and gagged, hand tied behind her back, feet and mouth taped, and on the 12th floor, whereas her cleaning cart was on the 8th floor. The autopsy confirmed that she died of asphyxiation by tape to her head and face.
Eridania leaves behind three children. She was the oldest of 10 siblings. Condolences to the Martinez’ family and her friends. This is truly shocking, and we hope that they find whoever did this, and treat them the same.
Will this affect Victor Martinez and his training in becoming the #1 bodybuilder in the world at the 2009 Mr. Olympia. How can it not? But Victor should press on ahead and dedicated his performance to his sister, for we cannot let evil stop us from what we do.
Victor Martinez, speaking on ABC News said “We loved our sister very much. Mother, grandmother. It is a horrible loss right now. I just hope that when they catch this guy, that the full extent of the law goes down upon him. She was the head of the family. She was also like a mother to us, to all of us”.
2009 NPC USA – Bikini and Figure prejudging is moved!
Due to the overwhelming turnout of competitors at the 2009 NPC USA, we have moved the Figure prejudging from Friday to Saturday morning, and the Bikini prejudging has been moved from Saturday morning to Friday evening with the men. All prejudging tickets purchased prior to July 10th will be honored in accordance with the new schedule.
Currently, we have 460+ competitors entered in what is the biggest and best NPC USA contest ever!
2009 NPC USA’s in Las Vegas – 430+ competitors so far
There is no question that this years NPC USA’s on July 24-25 in Las Vegas is going to be the biggest ever. With over 430 competitors as of July 7th, get ready for an incredible contest. This year, the bikini division has been added and each class winner here will become an IFBB pro. (Total of 6).
There will be a total of 17 IFBB pro given on the line at the NPC USAs. Besides bikini with 6 new pros, figure will see 6 new ones as well.
Also added this year for the men’s bodybuilding competition is that three competitors will turn pro instead of 2. So when we see that final posedown out of the seven class winners, we will get the overall winner, plus two others for the pro cards.
For the women’s bodybuilding contest, 2 women will turn pro out of the four classes.
Promoter Jon Lindsay always does a great job in organizing and making sure that the contest is one of the best NPC events of the year. The venue is the same as it has been for the last number of years, located at the Artemus W. Ham Concert Hall on the campus of UNLV. For more information, go to www.musclecontest.com.
See you there!
2009 Olympia T-Shirt Design Contest
On September 25-26, 2009, Joe Weider’s Mr. Olympia Weekend returns to the Orleans Arena and the Las Vegas Convention Center in sizzling Las Vegas, Nevada for what promises to be the most exciting event in the contest’s 44-year history.
The title will be battled out by current Olympia Champion Dexter Jackson, 2-Time Mr. Olympia Jay Cutler, Phil Heath, Dennis Wolf and many more strong and talented professionals looking to be crowned the 2009 Mr. Olympia Champion.
With the Olympia fast approaching we have created a way for you to be part of the Olympia Team. If you would like to take part in the design process of the merchandise that will be sold at the Olympia, please log on to www.MrOlympia.com and click on the t-shirt design contest.
You will have access to uploading up to six (6) exclusive designs for a chance to win tickets to the 2009 Olympia. Be there for all the fireworks as the most talented athletes in the world battle it out to determine who truly is the best in men’s and women’s bodybuilding, fitness and figure.
Relna Brewer McRae will be inducted into the Muscle Beach Hall of Fame on July 4th
July 4th, Independence Day here in the USA, is also when Muscle Beach Venice will be celebrating its 75th anniversary. One person that they will be inducting into the Muscle Beach Hall of Fame is Relna Brewer McRae, who helped her brother Paul, start and build 75 years ago what became known as Muscle Beach.
NBC did an interview with Relna, which was very informative. You can check it out at the link below.
NBC Newest Hall of Famer
Roland Kickinger’s new movie ‘Raven’
Roland Kickinger is in a new movie called Raven, also starring Rudolf Martin, Meadow Williams, Steven Bauer, Courtney Gains and Dee Wallace. A special screening of the movie will be shown at the Academy of Television Arts & Science in North Hollywood in a few weeks. Here is the cover poster of the movie.
RAVEN, a vampire thriller written by screenwriter Aaron Pope (DARK REEL) is the latest GruntWorks production, starring Roland Kickinger (TERMINATOR SALVATION) as John Salem, Rudolf Martin (SWORDFISH / BEDAZZLED) as Lazar, the old world vampire and a return from both Meadow Williams in the title role, Raven and Steven Bauer as William, Raven’s first victim. With appearances by legendary film actors Mr. Courtney Gains (CHILDREN OF THE CORN) and Ms. Dee Wallace (CUJO and THE HOWLING) and introducing Hollywood royalty, Weston Coppola Cage as the warrior vampire Thorean. The film, a cross between INTERVIEW WITH A VAMPIRE and THE LOST BOYS was shot in February and March of this year.
2009 NPC Atlantic States – June 6th in New York, NY
The 2009 NPC Atlantic States, promoted by Steve Weinburger, is on June 6th, at the Tribecca Center in New York, New York. Ronnie Coleman, Jay Cutler and Dexter Jackson are slated to guest pose at this contest. The contest features NPC bodybuilding, figure, fitness and bikini competitors. Here is the flyer and more information.
Ultimate Nutrition Presents the 2009 Joe Weider’s Olympia Weekend
Farmington, CT May 22nd, 2009 — To further celebrate their 30th anniversary, Ultimate Nutrition announced today a partnership with the 2009 Joe Weider’s Olympia Weekend. The Olympia Weekend, currently known as “The 2009 Olympia Weekend,” will now be known as “Ultimate Nutrition presents Joe Weider’s 2009 Olympia Weekend brought to you by Bodybuilding.com.”
The 2009 Joe Weider’s Olympia Weekend is scheduled to take place at the Orleans Arena and the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada between Sept. 24, 2009 and Sept. 27, 2009 and is the premier event in bodybuilding.
“Joe Weider’s Olympia Weekend is the top event in the bodybuilding world, and it is a perfect match for Ultimate Nutrition products,” said Brian Rubino, Vice President, Ultimate Nutrition. “Ultimate Nutrition has stood for quality and innovation for 30 years and having the opportunity to present the 2009 Joe Weider’s Olympia Weekend is another great event of our 30th anniversary celebration.”
About Ultimate Nutrition.
Ultimate Nutrition was founded in 1979 by Victor H. Rubino. At the time Victor was one of the top amateur power lifters in the United States. Driven by a goal to become the best, Victor knew that supplements were the key to improving his performance through increased strength and faster recovery. Not satisfied with the current supplements that were available to him the 1970’s and being a biochemist himself, Victor decided to launch his own company Ultimate Nutrition. Victor’s goal was to create high quality, thoroughly researched products at an affordable price for everyone.
VPX fires back with an appeal of the injunction of Muscle Power
VPX filed an appeal of the injunction issued by a district court in California precluding VPX from using its registered trademark “Muscle Power” and the trade dress on its packaging. Jack Owoc, CEO and founder of VPX, explained that VPX was highly disappointed by the ruling:
“We are very disconcerted by the court”s ruling and think that it was misled in regard to Cytosport”s rights and the nature of the competition in our industry. The only similarities in our trademarks are the use of the word ”Muscle,” but there are more than 60 registered trademarks at the Patent and Trademark Office in class 5 alone containing the word ”Muscle.” ”Muscle” is commonly used in product and company names in our industry, in part because our products help build muscle. Cytosport never objected to the registration of our trademark, despite having an opportunity to do so, and the Patent and Trademark Office found no conflict between “Muscle Power®” and “Muscle Milk®.”
We have never intended to confuse customers into thinking our product was Muscle Milk® -we want them to know it’s different and better! We point out in our advertising why Muscle Power® is a better product — Muscle Milk® contains 600% more sugar and a 183% more fat than Muscle Power®. Muscle Power contains 200% more fiber and 89% less carbohydrates.
We prominently put our VPX logo on the top center panel and, the background, like most VPX products, is the specific 293 Pantone Blue color that consumers have identified as our brand for many years. VPX apologizes to its customers for any disruption this may cause, and we are committed to making our popular Muscle Power® drink available again to our customers and the public as soon as possible.”
CytoSport Secures Preliminary Court-Ordered Injunction of Muscle Power Due to Infringement of Muscle Milk® Trademark
On Wednesday, May 6th in Sacramento, CA, a Federal Court issued an order requiring Vital Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (VPX) to immediately remove Muscle Power from the marketplace after concluding that the product infringes on CytoSport’s trademark rights of Muscle Milk®.
This preliminary injunction was prompted after CytoSport filed a lawsuit against VPX, stating that Muscle Power’s packaging, or “trade dress,” was deceptively similar to Muscle Milk®’s packaging. In its decision, the court stated that “VPX has chosen an identical font, in an identical color, on an identically shaped package, and placed the mark on the package in an identical location.” The court also stated that “when the marks are viewed as a whole with each product’s respective trade dress, the court has no difficulty concluding that the two marks are overwhelmingly similar.”
Upon concluding that VPX has violated CytoSport’s trademark rights, the court also stated that “VPX could have easily used a trade dress more consistent with its other RTD products, e.g. Redline, Black Pearl and Pump 7.” Given that the injunction is preliminary in nature, the lawsuit will continue while the injunction is in place.
“We are gratified by the court’s ruling and will continue to vigorously enforce our rights to protect our brand, our marketing partners, and our consumers against confusion in the marketplace,” says Greg Pickett, Co-Founder /CEO of CytoSport.
More discussion on this on the Getbig Boards, at
http://www.getbig.com/boards/index.php?topic=279222.0
For those of you who want to read on the entire case, here is the pdf where you can look at the 53 page document.
http://www.cytosport.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/court-order.pdf
Iovate Issues Statement Regarding Hydroxycut Recall
The following statement was issued today by Iovate regarding the Hydroxycut recall.
As you know, Iovate is strongly committed to product safety. In keeping with that mission, Iovate welcomes balanced regulation for the dietary supplement industry, and we feel that these regulations are in the best interest of our customers and our industry.
Millions of consumers purchase Hydroxycut products each year. Iovate carefully considers the ingredients in each of its dietary supplement formulations to make sure that they are safe. Each ingredient in each formulation is investigated for safety by reviewing all of the available medical, scientific, and toxicological information that is publicly available. Iovate works closely with nutritional scientists and other scientists, both within and outside of the company, to develop its products. A world-renowned, independent third-party expert toxicological firm reviews all formulas Iovate launches for safety, before launch. Iovate does not release any product containing any ingredient that it has not evaluated for safety. In addition, once an Iovate product is made available to consumers, Iovate continues to monitor the safety of the product by
collecting information on potential adverse experiences with the product.
Iovate initiated a voluntary recall when it became aware that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s analysis of 23 reports over the last seven years about consumers having experienced liver-related problems was different than the analysis done by Iovate’s independent, third-party toxicological experts and epidemiologists.
On May 1, 2009, the FDA issued an advisory which states that, “Although the liver damage appears to be relatively rare, FDA believes consumers should not be exposed to unnecessary risk.” In 2008, for instance, more than 9 million units of Hydroxycut-branded products were sold, while the FDA only referred to three reports potentially associating the products with liver toxicity.
Iovate’s own assessment of the potential risk associated with the use of these products differs from that expressed by the Agency. For instance, the number of adverse event reports described by the FDA is small relative to the many millions of people who have used Hydroxycut products over the seven years referenced by the FDA. These numbers must be contrasted with the background rate of 1 in 100,000 for hepatitis/liver injury in the general population. Kaplowitz N. 2005, Idiosyncratic Drug Hepatotoxicity, Nature Review Drug Discovery, June 4 (6); 489-99. Moreover, Dr. David Graham of the FDA reviewed data from four epidemiology studies and estimated that the rate of idiopathic (i.e., unexplained) acute liver failure is approximately one per million per year. Graham, D., American Journal of Gastroenterology 2003; 98: 175-179. However, out of an abundance of caution and because consumer safety is Iovate’s top priority, Iovate is voluntarily recalling these Hydroxycut-branded products in the United States. Please note that Hydroxycut Hoodia and Cleanse products are not included in this recall; nor are any other Iovate products. We are working with the FDA in this recall process. We will be in contact with you very shortly to effectuate this recall.
This voluntary Class 2 recall applies to the following:
– Hydroxycut Regular Rapid Release Caplets
– Hydroxycut Caffeine-Free Rapid Release Caplets
– Hydroxycut Hardcore Liquid Caplets
– Hydroxycut Max Liquid Caplets
– Hydroxycut Regular Drink Packets
– Hydroxycut Caffeine-Free Drink Packets
– Hydroxycut Hardcore Drink Packets (Ignition Stix)
– Hydroxycut Max Drink Packets
– Hydroxycut Liquid Shots
– Hydroxycut Hardcore RTDs (Ready-to-Drink)
– Hydroxycut Max Aqua Shed
– Hydroxycut 24
– Hydroxycut Carb Control
– Hydroxycut Natural
As you have already heard, the new evolution in the Hydroxycut brand, Hydroxycut Advanced, will be shipping in the near future. You should have received a Hydroxycut Advanced information deck by now, but if you haven’t, please contact your Iovate authorized broker or your Iovate Sales Team member as it is critical that your orders are in place soon. We expect initial demand might exceed our ability to supply the new formulations, at least in the beginning.
Over the last ten years, the Hydroxycut brand has been the top selling weight loss supplement brand in the U.S. During this time, we have continuously reformulated our product offerings. Our new formula, Hydroxycut Advanced, while also based on science, is a completely new and revolutionary formulation.
We thank you for your continued support and we look forward to working closely with you.
Sincerely,
Iovate Health Sciences
FDA Warns Consumers to Stop Using Hydroxycut Products
Dietary Supplements Linked to One Death; Pose Risk of Liver Injury
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers to immediately stop using Hydroxycut products by Iovate Health Sciences Inc., of Oakville, Ontario and distributed by Iovate Health Sciences USA Inc. of Blasdell, N.Y. Some Hydroxycut products are associated with a number of serious liver injuries. Iovate has agreed to recall Hydroxycut products from the market.
The FDA has received 23 reports of serious health problems ranging from jaundice and elevated liver enzymes, an indicator of potential liver injury, to liver damage requiring liver transplant. One death due to liver failure has been reported to the FDA. Other health problems reported include seizures; cardiovascular disorders; and rhabdomyolysis, a type of muscle damage that can lead to other serious health problems such as kidney failure.
Liver injury, although rare, was reported by patients at the doses of Hydroxycut recommended on the bottle. Symptoms of liver injury include jaundice (yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes) and brown urine. Other symptoms include nausea, vomiting, light-colored stools, excessive fatigue, weakness, stomach or abdominal pain, itching, and loss of appetite.
“The FDA urges consumers to discontinue use of Hydroxycut products in order to avoid any undue risk. Adverse events are rare, but exist. Consumers should consult a physician or other health care professional if they are experiencing symptoms possibly associated with these products,” said Linda Katz, M.D., interim chief medical officer of the FDA’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition.
Hydroxycut products are dietary supplements that are marketed for weight-loss, as fat burners, as energy-enhancers, as low carb diet aids, and for water loss under the Iovate and MuscleTech brand names. The list of products being recalled by Iovate currently includes:
Hydroxycut Regular Rapid Release Caplets
Hydroxycut Caffeine-Free Rapid Release Caplets
Hydroxycut Hardcore Liquid Caplets
Hydroxycut Max Liquid Caplets
Hydroxycut Regular Drink Packets
Hydroxycut Caffeine-Free Drink Packets
Hydroxycut Hardcore Drink Packets (Ignition Stix)
Hydroxycut Max Drink Packets
Hydroxycut Liquid Shots
Hydroxycut Hardcore RTDs (Ready-to-Drink)
Hydroxycut Max Aqua Shed
Hydroxycut 24
Hydroxycut Carb Control
Hydroxycut Natural
Although the FDA has not received reports of serious liver-related adverse reactions for all Hydroxycut products, Iovate has agreed to recall all the products listed above. Hydroxycut Cleanse and Hoodia products are not affected by the recall. Consumers who have any of the products involved in the recall are advised to stop using them and to return them to the place of purchase. The agency has not yet determined which ingredients, dosages, or other health-related factors may be associated with risks related to these Hydroxycut products. The products contain a variety of ingredients and herbal extracts.
2009 IFBB Orlanda Pro (Europa show of Champions) prejudging pics
Here are the pics, from Isaac Hinds, of the Men’s prejudging, with Troy Alves, Darrem Charles and Hidetada looking like they will place in the top three. The link of the pics is
http://contest.bodybuilding.com/gallery/contest/10782/event/1/
Here is the link for the pictures from the IFBB Pro Figure prejudging
http://contest.bodybuilding.com/gallery/contest/10782/event/3/
Here is the link for the pictures from the IFBB Pro Fitness prejudging
http://contest.bodybuilding.com/gallery/contest/10782/event/4/
75th Anniversary of Muscle Beach Venice
From Joe Wheatley, the promoter of Muscle Beach Venice.
It all started in 1934 when a group of health and fitness pioneers brought fame to Santa Monica Muscle Beach with their feats of weightlifting, strength and gymnastics. In 2009, Muscle Beach Venice marks the 75th Anniversary of the world renown home of bodybuilding.
This historic occasion will be celebrated on July 4th 2009 at the Mr. & Ms. Muscle Beach Bodybuilding, Figure and Bikini Competition. Icons from the industry including Hall of Fame Inductees will be on hand with City of Los Angels Officials to recognize this great history.
Bodybuilding.com, Muscletech and Ironman Magazine are three of the main sponsors of this event. More information coming soon…
