Bodybuilding.com - Dan Solomon - Latest Pro Bodybuilding News & Gossip

Check the craze about may and june muscle madness, about Dexter's recent wins, can Darrem capture another pro win, can Craig get his first and much more...

By: Dan Solomon

March 25th, 2004! - Previous News

May/June Muscle Madness!

The May/June IFBB calendar should satisfy muscle-heads across the globe. The action gets underway in Orlando on May 1st and than shifts north to New York City for the N.O.C. on May 22nd.

Next up, Budapest will host the IFBB Hungarian Pro on June 5th and just one week later, Canada will get into the action as Toronto stages its annual grand prix event on June 12th.

4 Out Of 5 Aint Bad

After capturing the Australian Pro title, Dexter Jackson has now won 4 of his past 5 events (GNC, Ironman, San Francisco & Australia). The Blade will next compete at the October 9th GNC Show.

Gunning For # 3

Darrem Charles has managed to win a pro event in each of the past 2 IFBB seasons.

In 2003, Darrem shocked a strong lineup that included Dexter Jackson and Markus Ruhl to win the Maximus Pro title in Rome.

In 2002, Darrem scored a victory at the Southwest Pro Cup, blowing away a lineup that included Bob Cicherillo, Craig Titus, Paul Dillett, Tom Prince and Melvin Anthony.

His 2003 season concluded with a (career best) Top 7 finish at the Olympia. Just two weeks later, Darrem leaped ahead of Chris Cormier to secure a spot among the Final 6 at the GNC event (Cormier finished 7th).

Now, after opting to forego the "early" shows, Darrem has his sights set on winning a 3rd pro title as he prepares for a busy May event calendar. For Darrem, the strategy was quite simple; Take some valuable time... add some valuable size.

Last year, the 5-time Olympia Qualifier was rewarded for his overall improvements, most notably in his glutes, calves and lower back.

For 2004, Darrem explains that he has made improvements to his quads and his overall thickness, without compromising the textbook symmetry and classic muscular proportions that he is famous for.

Darrem, who has made it very clear that he covets the Night of Champions, will actually hit the stage 3 weeks before the N.O.C., at the inaugural Xtreme Pro Challenge (Bodybuilding.com is the title sponser!) scheduled for May 1st in his home state of Florida.

Darrem will also look to continue a rather impressive streak. With the exception of the Olympia contests, Darrem has now been in the final posedown in each of the past 7 events he's competed in (dating back to 2001).

Confident Craig

After 3 events, Craig Titus has yet to secure his spot on the Olympia stage. As a result, CT has announced his plans to compete at the inaugural Xtreme Pro Challenge in Orlando. Craig is hoping that his quest for his first pro win will end in Orlando. Never short on confidence, Craig has all but guaranteed that the Orlando show belongs to him (Hey Darrem, are you listening?).

Qualified!

There are currently 14 athletes qualified for the 2004 Olympia: