Everyone's a freak. No two bodies are the same; we all have unpleasant, wonderful, shocking and extraordinary features; we are all
unique. But for centuries the word 'freak' has been used cruelly to describe people born with 'abnormal' features, or those able perform extraordinary
physical acts by contorting or misshaping their bodies.
Exhibitions of live human curiosities had appeared in traveling fairs, circuses and taverns in England since the 1600s. These included so-called giants,
dwarves, fat people, the very thin, conjoined twins and even people from exotic climes. Freak shows were a particularly popular form of entertainment
during the Victorian period, when people from all classes flocked to gawp at these unusual examples of human life.
A flock of two distinguished groups representing freak shows from around the world invaded the Hyatt regency in Tampa this weekend to form a circus
worthy of mentions such as the one you are reading.
A scantily clad group visiting from all parts of the globe that looked like they had never seen the light of day were in town for a gothic convention
whilst the overly tanned muscle bound gathering were here to compete in the Pro Bodybuilding Weekly Championship.
It was quite a scene documenting these groups within "normal" surrounds of the breakfast tables, where the pierced corsets were eating nothing that once
had parents, yet the vascular muscle bounds ate everything that had a face. I wont even go into the
I was only here to document our kind of freak, but it was an entertaining spectacle of introduction.
202Ib and Under Podium
1. David Henry
It was obvious after Henry lead as the flag bearer of dominance for 202Ib competitors within the open category that this class was in the bag. On this
day his combination of size, condition and brute thickness was too much for the others in this highly competitive field to match. The worthy winner will
now go onto the Europa to attempt to repeat the performance with an ever expanding prize purse in follow.
2. Flex Lewis
What a debut. The Welsh warrior proved that his sponsors, Gaspari and Weider knew that their athlete had a bright future ahead by signing him when he was
only an amateur. Possessing wheels that have had many arduous walks over the mountainous ranges of Wales were the best in the show and his glutes will
scar his competitors on every Pro outing from here on in. The pride of Wales has arrived with a breath of fire and will continue to heat up the circuit
for years to come. He continually backed by vocals with funny accents as his ex training partner Mark Price and advisor Neil Hill flew from Wales as his
support machine. His fianc?e Shina was seen and not herd due to being drowned out by the big bellowing baritones that echoed the Tampa auditorium.
3. Joroslav Horvath
This proved to be a shock to no one more than Roc Shabazz who many thought was a shoe in for third place. It was a given that this was a perfect class
for Horvath and it was the best that he had looked for a while, but his legs were down in size and his back was a shallow in comparison to Roc's. Not
taking anything away from this great competitor but I personally think that Shabazz has good reason to feel like a kid with no candy.
Open Podium
1. Toney Freeman
Freeman first came onto the stage in prejudging holding a slither of water but after figuring out that the oil glaze he had painted on closed his pores,
he was able to sweat and really dry out by the last callouts to leave a lasting impression. That impression carried him later to an impressive return to
the victory circle.
2. Dennis James
The big man came in smaller but tighter for 2008. As with Toney, he came in slightly dryer during the finals versus prejudge. It was too little too late
but it showed us that he has more to give, and that he will when the Olympia rolls around in 7 weeks
3. Dave Henry
His top 3 finish allowed Henry to once again adopt his "Giant Killer" nickname with renewed enthusiasm. Although much shorter than the guys who finished
above him, his dense thickness could not be ignored and his rear double bicep was arguably the best within the entire lineup. He promised me to be even
better for the Olympia, if that indeed be the case, he could further improve on his previous top 10 at the Saturday night Olympia open once he takes care
of business at the 202Ib held on the previous day
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