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Chris
Cormier - 1st place
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The
Pro IRONMAN Invitational is always the first event of the professional
bodybuilding year. This year's show was held on February 16th
at the L.A. Trade Technical College. The competition's normal
venue, the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center, was under construction
this year so the event had to be moved to the L.A. Technical
College in the interim.
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Lee
Priest
2nd place
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Earnie
Taylor
3rd place
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Ahmed
Haidar
4rd place
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Quincy
Taylor
5th place
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Tommi
Thorvildsen
6th place
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Garrett
Downing
7th place
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The
17 man line-up featured many veterans of the sport as well as
some newcomers. Chris Cormier was back attempting to win his
4th Pro IRONMAN title. The record is held by Flex Wheeler with
5 wins and Chris is on his way to breaking that record. Lee
Priest was also back after last year's heart infection forced
him to pull out of most of the competitions in 2001. Unfortunately,
Dennis James,
who was hoping to pull an upset here and win the first pro show
of the new year, had to pull out as a result of acquiring the
flu after his long flight in from Thailand.
As
expected, Chris Cormier
was the eventual victor of this evening's competition. Chris
weighed in at 253 pounds at a height of 5'11". Chris looked
much harder here than he did at last year's Mr. Olympia competition
where he placed a disappointing 5th place. I thought Chris looked
bigger and thicker at last year's IRONMAN Pro show but he was
obviously good enough to win here tonight. His back was especially
impressive for it's thickness and hardness.
In
second place was Lee Priest
back in top condition. Lee weighed 207 pounds at a height of
5'4". This bodyweight is a little bit lighter for Lee but
after witnessing the "before" photos he recently took
for MuscleMag International magazine, I am amazed that he was
able to regain peak condition. But here he was, 63 pounds lighter
and in incredible condition. Lee has the thickest arms in the
sport and the audience loved him every time he came out on stage.
His legs are also extremely large and he was ripped to shreds.
Cormier seemed to beat Lee on the back shots as his hamstrings
and lower back were harder.
In
third place was Ernie Taylor
from England. Ernie has been missing from the Olympia line-up
for the last couple years so I'm sure he was pleased to regain
an Olympia qualification with his third place finish tonight.
It was very close for Ernie, however, as he narrowly edged out
4th place winner Ahmed Haidar by only one point. Ernie looked
bigger than before but he was in outstanding condition. His
legs looked more massive and his arms, as usual, were huge.
The oil enhancement in the triceps is the only disappointing
area in an otherwise impressive physique.
The
surprise of the contest was definitely Ahmed
Haidar in 4th place. Ahmed is the 1997 IFBB
Amateur World Champion and he was a competitor in the '98 Olympia
but he has made some remarkable strides since then. He displayed
some incredibly deep abs and his physique was all quality. He
wasn't the biggest competitor onstage but he was one of the
best. I personally would have placed him third.
In
fifth place was the 2001 NPC USA overall champion, Quincy
Taylor. Quincy was making his pro debut at this show
and what potential this guy has! Quincy stands 6'4" tall
and he weighed 290 pounds onstage. He has some incredible arms
and legs and should definitely be a force to be reckoned with
in the next couple of years. He was a little bit off of the
condition he displayed at last year's USA Championships but
he was close. This giant has a bright future in the sport.
Sixth
place went to Tommi Thorvildsen
from Norway. I was surprised to see how big of a man Tommi is
after viewing some photos of him in the magazines. He is much
bigger and thicker in person. His most famous bodypart is his
glutes (hence the nickname "Glutezilla") which are
huge and striated from top to bottom. Tommi, however, is a little
wide-waisted and his arms are not quite in proportion with the
rest of him. He also seems to have incurred a torn pec on the
right side. On the plus side, Tommi has a great rear double
biceps pose, he normally ends his routine with a surprising
back flip and he seems to have an unbridled enthusiasm for the
sport. He should be fun to watch in the future.
Seventh
place went to Garrett Downing
who was hoping to make a big impact at this event. Garrett definitely
looked bigger and fuller than he did last year. His enormous
pecs are especially noteworthy. His legs, however, look a little
bit out of proportion to his upper body. Garrett looks improved,
however, and he looks like he is on the right track to success.
In
eighth place was Jason Arntz,
the 1998 NPC Nationals overall winner. Jason doesn't seem to
have the structure to compete with some of the bigger men in
the sport. Although he is extremely wide in the shoulders, his
short legs seem to detract from the overall picture. Jason was
in much better shape this year than in 2001 also.
In
the ninth position was one of my favorite new professionals,
Victor Martinez from New
York. Victor has potential plus, lots of thickness and size
in a physique with great shape. I was hoping to see Victor place
in the top five at this show but he was a little too smooth
tonight.
Jeff
Long was in great shape in tenth spot but
he is limited by his height and structure. You have to give
him credit for always showing up in top condition and for the
energy and heart he brings to each competition he enters.
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Posedown
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Trophy
Presentation
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