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Article Summary:
Troy Alves greatly improved on physique, but it wasn't enough to beat Ben White.
Debuting Brigita Berzovac walked away with the women's bodybuilding trophy.
Nicole Nagrani won the bikini trophy also on her first pro show.
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Pro Bodybuilding Weekly Tampa Pro Review
This last weekend saw the crowning of a new champion, when Ben White, 20lbs of muscle bigger than his last showing, presented the most complete and balanced physique in the contest. He displayed full muscle bellies, striated in all the right places. He out-shun Troy Alves who was far superior to his 5th place finish in Phoenix earlier this year.
Alves who has one of the most symmetrical physiques in the IFBB, now in his mid 40's and a grandfather, came to Tampa with something to prove, and prove he did displaying that crisp conditioning he has become known for. With a little more fullness who knows what might have been.
In third place was the World's strongest bodybuilder, Johnnie Jackson. Still lacking some mass in the legs, Jackson has without a doubt one of, if not the thickest upper bodies on the planet. He shredded that film of water that has plagued him in his last few contests to present one of the best displays we have seen from Jackson in some time, although his conditioning was good, it will needed to be great if he is to add another Pro title to his resume. He was rewarded with an invite to the Olympia.
Missing out on a top 3 finish yet again was Ed Nunn; he was big and in condition, displaying full and round muscle bellies, with that huge X frame. With a few more improvements to his physique, like fuller pecs, and greater lat development, he will no doubt eventually be amongst the elite at the Olympia.
Rounding out the top 5 was Mike Kefalianos of Australia who displayed some freaky mass and conditioning. However, this freaky mass and conditioning will only get you so far in the IFBB. He lacked control of the midsection and allowed the more genetically blessed athletes to exploit his lack of stage presentation.
202 Division
In the 202 division, we saw Team Universe legend Jose Raymond take home his first ever IFBB Pro victory. Although not in his best condition, he was good enough to take home the prize here in Tampa. Weighing in close to the limit, Raymond has some room to play with in order to improve his conditioning. Edging out last year's Dallas Europa Pro Champion Tricky Jackson, was Hungarian Steve Namat, who made history in the fact that he is going to the Olympia representing Hungary, and being the first athlete ever to do so. Jackson, was not his normal shredded self, slipped in the placing's and deservedly so.
Women's Bodybuilding
The women's bodybuilding division saw Cathy LeFrancois relegated to 3rd place after adding some serious mass; it may have been a little too much and damaged her physique in the way of displaying a streamlined symmetrical physique. As the show went on, Le Francois appeared to flatten and her condition deteriorated. Former European Champion, Brigita Berzovac stormed to victory in her pro debut much to the surprise and delight of the fans.
Bikini
The pro bikini saw history being made when the youngest IFBB pro in history won a pro title. Not only did so at the tender age of 18, but Nicole Nagrani did so in her pro debut, only one week after earning her IFBB Pro card at the Team Universe.
Conclusion
All in all a great show, with all four champions earning their first ever IFBB pro titles, two of which in their pro debut - PBW makes the history books yet again. At the end of the day there were some close calls that could have gone either and the results have set up the tail end of the IFBB season with some serious competition and grudge matches for with the last few invites for the Olympia weekend at stake. How will the cookie crumble next week in Hartford, who will trade places with who?
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