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In 1993, Star International commissioned and produced a special set of the top 100 bodybuilders, both female and male, at the current time that were in the IFBB. Some of us have the complete collection, and more. They were distributed in a box of 36 packs, 9 card in a pack. On the cover of the box was Christian Duffy and Mike Matarazzo, with the IFBB Logo right on the box. To see the complete IFBB trading card collection, go to: IFBB Trading Cards Pictures

Ok, we take pictures of some of our favorite figure and fitness competitors, but soon, we may even get to play with them. Siren (Valarie Waugaman), Stealth (Tanji Johnson), Fury (Jamie Reed), and Venom (Beth Horn) just might have their own action ‘figure’ doll in the works. According to a press release:  “Jakks Pacific signed an exclusive worldwide master toy license with MGM Consumer Products for American Gladiators, a television program that airs on NBC. Jakks expects to launch a line of American Gladiators toys and related products in Spring 2009, based on the characters and challenges seen on the show. American Gladiators is produced by MGM Television and Reveille in association with Flor-Jon Films, Inc. The comprehensive American Gladiators license agreement includes action figures, accessories, as well as outdoor sports and seasonal products, and role play toys, all based on the new American Gladiators live action series and the classic television series.” Now, we need some for the bodybuilding community too.

 Here is the press release from BSN regarding the show:     Bio-Engineered Supplements and Nutrition Inc. (BSN), the world leaders in cutting-edge physique and performance products, is proud to announce that they will be exclusively featured on the popular cable TV show American Chopper, which stars Paul Teutul Sr., his sons Paul Teutul Jr., Mikey Teutul and the rest of the Orange County Choppers (OCC) crew. The American Chopper episode will document the building of a custom fabrication, one-of-kind BSN-themed chopper, and in addition to the starring the OCC crew, will also have cameo appearances by The Girls of BSN, Team BSN athletes Anthony Presciano and 8-Time Mr. Olympia Ronnie Coleman, along with BSN co-founders and current President and Vice President, Chris Ferguson and Scott James. In addition to the manufacture of the custom fabrication one-of-kind BSN-themed chopper, BSN also commissioned the production of an additional replica BSN chopper, with plans to donate 100% of the proceeds from the sale of this replica bike to the Warrior Transition Unit of the Keller Army Community Hospital in West Point, New York. With military hospitals a cause near and dear to BSN’s heart, Co-Founder and Vice President Scott James commented, “We really…

The IFBB has removed the 2008 Keystone Classic Pro Bodybuilding contest from the 2008 Calendar of Events. It was set for June 21st, in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.  For those pros who were going to compete in this show, the next IFBB contest is on the 4th of July weekend in Houston, Texas. The 20,000 sq ft FitFest Expo and the National Qualifying NPC Keystone Amateur & NPC Pennsylvania States will still be held on June 21st at Ag Hall in Allentown, PA.

Three new challenges will debut on the American Gladiator’s Season Two. They are called Depth, Sway Poles and Side Swipe. Filming begins tomorrow (Tuesday) at the Los Angeles Sports Arena. More information soon…

Gym Management Services, one of the premiere franchises of Gold’s Gym International, is proud to announce that they recently moved their executive offices from Hollywood to Northridge, California. The brand new 6,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility will provide Gym Management Services representatives with the most advanced technology available and an enlarged office building to allow the management company to operate at maximum efficiency. “Our explosive growth in the past few years has really pushed us to focus on expanding internally and externally,” said Angel Banos, CEO of Gym Management Services. “We spent 12 years in the previous building and are thrilled with our decision to move our executive offices to a more centralized location.” The new facility was built from the ground up in order to accommodate the needs of staff and management and provide them with the highest technology and software available.  Inside the new building are offices for department heads including the Group Exercise Director, Retail/Food Buyer, Fitness Director, CFO/Accounting, Information Technology and a Customer Service department.  The new facility also includes an award-winning Gold’s Gym University, to provide an extensive training program for new and current employees. Gym Management Services owns and operates many of the Los…

Congratulations to Merv Petralba on the new addition to the family. Merv is one of the main photographers for Ironman Magazine, and is seen regularly at many IFBB and NPC shows covering the events. Trinity Drew Petralba was born on April 7, 2008 at 12:05am a little after midnight.  She was 6 pounds, 8 ounces.

WORCESTER— A Worcester bodybuilder and businessman who was convicted on drug charges along with two former Worcester police officers was sentenced yesterday in U.S. District Court to 51 months in prison and forfeiture was ordered of his home and defunct business. Thomas J. Vigliatura, 40, of 118 Santoro Road, previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy from 2002 to 2004 to distribute illegal steroids known as GHB and GBL and to possess cocaine and Ecstasy as well as distribution of GBL and GHB. Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV also found that Mr. Vigliatura had threatened the life of the prosecutor, Assistant U.S. Attorney George W. Vien, although he had not been charged with that. — Read Full Story.

Forget Sony Studios in Culver Studios, where the events for Season one was taped at. This time, for Season Two, they are going bigger and better. What? Are you saying they are not taping in a 42,000 square foot set. Nope, they are going to be taping at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena, at 3939 South Figueroa Street, very close to where USC is. That places is huge, and has about 13,000 seats around the arena. Now that is going to be an event. It also as the room to house all of the events, instead of just building them up and removing them every few days.Unlike Season One, we hear that there is going to be a pool which is above water, and you can see in, so you can watch the Gladiator and competitors under water too. The first show will begin taping on Tuesday, April 8th, at 5pm. Each show will last 4-5 hours, so expect to be there, until after 10pm. Taping should last from April 8 to around April 20th or so. Season Two’s premiere will be two hours long, and will begin on Monday, May 12th, and will continue every Monday with a…

The last time we saw Lee Priest, we were at the 2008 Arnold Classic, where Lee was standing in the MuscleMag booth greeting some fans. Today, Lee decided to sign a deal with Muscular Development, and judging from many rumors, it looks like Lee will be let back into the IFBB, and perhaps be allowed to compete at the 2008 Atlantic Pro. If he places in the top three there, then it is off to the Olympia stage. But first, he needs to be reinstatement into the IFBB.Congratulations Lee on your contract with MD.

After being with Muscular Development magazine for the past few years, Dexter Jackson made a bold choice, and signed with Weider Publications (Flex, Muscle & Fitness Magazine) in a stunning move that left many in the industry surprised. Many people did not even know that Dexter’s contract with MD was up. Still, the announcement on Tuesday evening on Flexonline created quite a stir, as Dexter had just come off winning three IFBB contests in a row (2008 Arnold Classic, 2008 Australian Pro, 2008 New Zealand Pro).Congratulation to Dexter, as teaming up with Weider, along with his Muscletech contract, puts Dexter is a great position as he rests and gears up for the 2008 Mr. Olympia contest. We here see Dexter as easily being in the top 4 at the 2008 Mr. Olympia, along with Jay Cutler, Dennis Wolf, and Phil Heath.

Kudos to the creative team who run the 2008 Olympia Weekend in Las Vegas, Nevada, for providing a special contest for the IFBB pros who are under 202 pounds.On Saturday, September 27th, 12 competitors, all who have to be 202 pounds or under, will take the stage at the Las Vegas expo stage, and battle it out. The winner takes $7,500. Second place $3,000. Third place $1,500. Now here comes the interesting part. If you are qualified for the Mr. Olympia, you can’t compete in this show. This show, an IFBB special invite contest, is to showcase some of the smaller guys who didn’t have a chance to make it to the Mr. Olympia contest. For more information on how to compete, contact Robin Chang at Weider.

Dexter Jackson made it three in a row, and completing the sweep by winning the 2008 IFBB Zew Zealand Elite Bodybuilding Pro contest in Aukland on March 15th. After winning the Arnold Classic two weeks before, and then the Australia Pro a week ago, Dexter is now going to rest up for the 2008 Mr. Olympia show. Dexter is on a roll! Here are the results for the 2008 New Zealand Pro 1. Dexter Jackson 2. Melvin Anthony 3. Toney Freeman 4. Sergey Shelestov 5. Troy Alves 6. Ronnie Rockel 7. Jaroslav Horvath 8. Oscar Tua Dexter 9. Oliver Adzievski 10. Salah Ibraham 11. Constantinos Demetiou 12. Michael Kingsnorth For complete scorecard results, please go to: 2008 IFBB New Zealand Pro Scorecard Results

Dexter Jackson continues to dominate as Dexter wins the 2008 Australia Pro Grand Prix, down in Melbourne, Australia. Promoter Tony Doherty did a tremendous job again in producing a wonderful contest. Here are the placings. 1. Dexter Jackson 2. Melvin Anthony 3. Mel ElMoussawi 4. Toney Freeman 5. Troy Alves 6. Ronnie Rockel 7. Sergey Shelestov 8. Jaroslav Horvath 9. Martin Kjellstrom 10. Oscar Tau Dexter 11. Constantinos Demetriou 12. Michael Kingsnorth 13. Oliver Adzeivski 14. Bola Ojex 15. Salah Ibraham For complete scorecard results, please go to: 2008 IFBB Australia Pro Scorecard Results

Bodybuilding.com, the world’s # 1 ranked bodybuilding and fitness website, was pleased to welcome Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to its worldwide webcast coverage of the 2008 “Arnold Classic”.  Regarded as one of the most recognizable men in the world, the California Governor visited with hosts Dan Solomon and Bob Cicherillo for an exclusive post-contest interview in Columbus, Ohio.  Schwarzenegger shared his thoughts on the 20th anniversary of his event and the current state of bodybuilding.  A former Mr. Olympia champion, the Governor’s appearance on the webcast came just moments after he presented the winner’s trophy on-stage to the champion, Dexter Jackson. Bodybuilding.com CEO Ryan DeLuca said, “We are working hard to promote the positive message of fitness and bodybuilding.  Governor Schwarzenegger has led by example for many years and we support his commitment to health and wellness.”  According to webcast statistics, it has been confirmed that the 2008 “Arnold Classic” was the most watched event in bodybuilding history. Click here to view the interview with Schwarzenegger:    http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/08arnold_visits_bbcom.htm

Monday, May 12th is when we will see the second season of American Gladiators premier on NBC. Which new Gladiators will come aboard, we are not sure yet, but we know that TNA’s wrestling star Matt Morgan will become one of the newest American Gladiators. We are not sure yet if Evan Dollard and Monica Carlson, the winners of Season One, will become American Gladiators, although they have been offered the chance to do so.  At this past weekends Arnold Classic expo in Columbus, Ohio, the casting crew of AG were still looking and interviewing potentional Gladiators and competitors. So how were the ratings for Season One? It was the number one new series for NBC, will an average rating of close to 10 million people per week! Now that isnt bad at all! We have also learned that a number of Season One Gladiators will not be back on the show, due to various reasons. But until the official Gladiator list is completed for Season 2, anything can happen.

Saturday night, March 2, at the Veteran Memorial Auditorium, which seats 3,300 people, we saw an incredible show, in which Dexter Jackson beat Phil Heath and Kai Greene to become the winner of the 2008 Arnold Classic Men’s Bodybuilding contest. Last year’s winner, Victor Martinez, was injured a few weeks before the show, and most likely, be out for the entire year. Here is the results for the 2008 Arnold Classic Men’s Bodybuilding Dexter Jackson Phil Health Kai Greene Branch Warren Silvio Samuel Gustavo Badell Toney Freeman Melvin Anthony Johnnie Jackson Desmond Miller Moe Elmoussawi David Henry Ronnie Rockel DeShaun Grimez A.D. Cherry For complete scorecard results, please go to: 2008 IFBB Arnold Classic Scorecard Results

LIFT Studios Launches HARDBODY NEWS Text Messaging Service Female bodybuilding, fitness and figure news, gossip and NPC & IFBB Pro contest results delivered directly to your phone, within seconds of them happening. DENVER, Colorado, February 27, 2008 – LIFT Studios (www.liftstudios.com) announced today that it has launched HARDBODY NEWS (www.hardbodynews.com), a new text messaging service for female bodybuilding, fitness and figure fans. HARDBODY News, like Muscle Phone (www.musclephone.com) for the men’s side of things, alerts subscribers of the latest industry news, gossip and NPC & IFBB contest results. “Muscle Phone broke new ground for bodybuilding fans and it was time to provide a version for the women’s side of things. Those who sign up for the service will receive the 2008 Ms. International as well as the Fitness & Figure International results via text message immediately after they are announced,” said Isaac Hinds, Owner of LIFT Studios and Creator of Muscle Phone. “Fans of the female side of the industry no longer have to be glued to their computers or rely on friends for the latest NPC & IFBB contest results or industry news and gossip. Strategic partnerships have been formed with the IFBB Professional League, Pro Bodybuilding Weekly, Sprayflex,…

“Pro Bodybuilding Weekly” continues its coverage of the 2008 contest season with a preview of this weekend’s Arnold Classic. Marvelous Melvin Anthony visits PBW to offer up his perspective on the contest as he prepares for a long awaited showdown with Ironman champ Phil Heath and a battle with two-time Arnold Classic Champ Dexter Jackson. PBW’s Arnold Preview will include analysis, predictions as well as the weekly “Pep Talk” segment as Larry visits with bodybuilding’s newest star, Moe Elmoussawi. The voice of pro bodybuilding is presented by MuscleTech on Monday at 8pm ET. Access the new PBW player at http://www.probodybuildingweekly.com/player/replay.html Moe Elmoussawi at the IRONMAN PRO. Visit the PBW broadcast Center at: www.BodybuildingRadio.com PBW: the official radio show of the 2008 Arnold Sports Festival.

A big shout out to Tony Blinn who maintains www.IFBBPro.com. Tony recently posted a “Behind The Lense” feature from the IRONMAN Pro. The photo feature gives visitors a closer look at the competitors. Check out the photos on ifbbpro.com compliments of liftstudios.com and bodybuilding.com.