After missing out on a top six finish at this year's Mr. Olympia this past September, the 'X Man' Toney Freeman got right back on the horse and earned his 5th IFBB Professional title, along with $10,000 in prize money. Learn more...
After missing out on a top six finish at this year's Mr. Olympia this past September, the 'X Man' Toney Freeman got right back on the horse and earned his 5th IFBB Professional title, along with $10,000 in prize money. He is also the first name to be added to the list for the 2010 Olympia.
Bodybuilding fans turned out in their hundreds and thousands (ok maybe not thousands, but give me a break I'm Irish, we always exaggerate plus I was watching Braveheart this weekend, and it made me kind of home sick) in California's state capitol, for the Sacramento Pro Bodybuilding Championships. What a weekend of bodybuilding it was, local hero, Kris Dim finished in fourth place, narrowly missing out on a invite to the Mr. Olympia, and to think this time last year people were writing him off, saying he was finished in this sport, I guess not!
Master poser, Darrem Charles who was dubbed king of the $10k shows only a couple of years ago, failed to make the posedown. He has been struggling as of late to peak for competition, and with his lighter bodyweight he is suffering in the placings. A.D Cherry, who was set to be the next big thing when he made his pro debut at the Arnold in 2008, yet again failed to impress. Poland's Robert Piotrkowicz, not only made the posedown, but he finished in third place, earning himself a golden ticket for the 2010 Mr. Olympia.
2009 Sacramento Pro Preview! This coming November 7th we will see the resurgence of professional men's bodybuilding in northern California with the 2009 Sacramento Pro. This is the last pro show of the 2009 season, or is it the first pro show of the 2010 season?
Mark Dugdale, who showed up at the Olympia 202 showdown with the best physique he has ever displayed, but he came into this contest about 10lbs off the mark, no pun intended, and consequently suffered. The ageless Pavol Jablonicky of the Czech Republic finished in 15th place, showing that he still has some gas left in the tank after more than two decades competing as an IFBB Pro.
The Results
Winner: Toney Freeman
Toney Freeman, the X Man came in to this contest with something to prove after failing to reach the posedown at the O, and prove something he did. Now, in the latter half of his 40's Freeman showed the bodybuilding world that he is not finished yet. I for one cannot wait to see what he does in 2010.
Craig earned his third top 3 finish and invite to the Olympia, Richardson narrowly lost out on earning his first ever pro win, he was his usual symmetrical self, and was in good condition, but I think he will have to add some mass if wants to impress at the bigger shows.
Poland's bodybuilding superstar, and my dark horse coming into this show, grabbed himself an Olympia invite after only a few appearances on the pro circuit. He is starting to play the size game however and his midsection is starting to show the signs, he needs to be careful during his transition from amateur to pro. Watch out for him in 2010.
The local hero, Dim finished a disappointing 12th at the Olympia 202 showdown. He showed up in front of his home crowd ready to do battle, he narrowly missed out on qualifying to the O. He should take a couple of titles in the 202 division in 2010!
Edward's size and conditioning earned him a spot in the posedown, but with a few more improvements in his overall physique, he will be far more competitive on the IFBB circuit.
Grigori had some really good size, and impressive symmetry, but was just not ready, if he had dropped another few pounds of water and he may have been more competitive.
Far from his best conditioning, Charles looked like he was in guest posing condition, this may just be the kick in the arse he needs to get into his former contest winner shape.
The Frenchman was not in his best conditioning, but he had some serious striations on his quads, however, it wasn't enough for him to move up in the rankings.
Pavol came into this show, in his usual shredded and dry as a bone condition, but he has lost some of his size, he could have easily placed a few spots higher.
Well that's about the size of it, the X - Man did it again, just when we thought he was down and out, he comes in and sweeps the stage clean. Poland's Robert Piotrkowicz, landed his first ever Olympia qualification and Darrem Charles had probably his worst showing yet. It is safe to say that this weekend's Sacramento Pro will have the bodybuilding community talking for weeks, for all the right reasons. Some athletes redeemed themselves with great performances; others will have to be redeemed if not retire. But one thing is for sure, we have gotten the 2010 race to the Olympia off to a great start.
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