Fasten your seatbelts because the 2011 pro bodybuilding season is about to get under way. Traditionally, the pro Iron Man kicked off the bodybuilding year, but that tradition came to an abrupt end when the show was cancelled last year.
|
Article Summary:
|
- The 2011 Bodybuilding season kicks off with the first ever IFBB Flex Pro Championship.
- The top contenders are Dexter Jsckson, Dennis Wolf, and Evan Centopani.
- Ben White is also in contention for one of the top prizes.
|
The 1st Annual Flex Pro Contest Kicks Off The New Bodybuilding Season
Fasten your seatbelts because the 2011 pro bodybuilding season is about to get under way. Traditionally, the pro "Iron Man" kicked off the bodybuilding year, but that tradition came to an abrupt end when the show was cancelled last year.
Southern California, the birthplace of modern bodybuilding, was without a pro contest for the first time in recent history. That is, of course, until Robin Chang and the Weider Team stepped up and created the Flex Pro.
The event will be held at the Santa Monica Civic Center, walking distance from Venice Beach-adjacent bodybuilding institutions such as Gold's Gym, Muscle Beach, and the Firehouse restaurant. This coming Saturday, February 19th, will see some of the IFBB's finest athletes make the pilgrimage to The Mecca.
Superstars such as Dennis Wolf and former Mr. Olympia Dexter Jackson will go head to head to become the first ever Flex Pro Champion. Nipping at their heels are up-and-coming rookies Fouad Abiad and Ben White, both of whom created giant waves in the 2010 season. Also taking the stage will be Evan Centopani, who in his pro debut, took out all runners to take the NY Pro title in 2009.
Here's The Lineup:
*Not registered with the IFBB for the 2011 season
Three Olympia invites are up for grabs this weekend, and with two of the top contenders already qualified-Dexter Jackson (4th Place 2010 Olympia) and Dennis Wolf (5th Place 2010 Olympia)-the rest of the competitors have to fight it out for an invite to Joe Weider's Olympia and a shot at becoming the first-ever Flex Pro Champion.
So Who Should Be In The Sights This Weekend?
Battle number-one on every bodybuilding fan's mind has to be Dennis 'The Big Bad' Wolf versus Dexter 'The Blade' Jackson. Jackson edged out Wolf the last time these two IFBB superstars faced off, at the Olympia in Vegas. It was September last, but there would have been no complaints if the former Mr. Olympia was pushed back a slot and Wolf was promoted to 4th place.
Jackson is known for his amazing conditioning and has never come into a contest off his peak. Wolf has probably the greatest shoulder-to-waist ratio in professional bodybuilding since Brian Buchanan. His conditioning ranks with the best of them, but he hit the 2009 Olympia a shadow of his former self, and failed to make the top 15.
Nipping at their heels is Evan Centopani, who in his pro debut took out all comers in New York. He has since sat out the remainder of the 2009 season and all of 2010. He will be looking to do some serious damage when he travels from New York to the Mecca, and most definitely has both Jackson and Wolf in his sights.
Not to be left out is World's Strongest Bodybuilder competitor Ben White. Ben had his best season to date in 2010, with a victory in Tampa for the Pro Bodybuilding Weekly Championships and a 3rd place finish at the Europa Battle of Champions.
So, how do I think this contest is going to play out? Any of these athletes can beat each other on any given day, and to call a contest that's going to be this close would be insane. Dexter, being the top-ranking athlete, will obviously be the man to beat, followed closely by Dennis Wolf.
Young Guns Ben White and Evan Centopani will also be gunning for gold; both have well- rounded physiques, carrying a great combination of mass, symmetry, and conditioning. Whether they have what it takes to stand next to the likes of Wolfe and Jackson remains to be seen.
brianthebull@gmail.com
Recommend this article to a friend by e-mail here!
 Back To Brian Bullman's Main Page
Back To The Articles Main Page.
Related Articles
Young Gun Aims For Flex Pro Success.
Hitting The Big Time: Rising Champ Wendell Floyd Challenges The IFBB Elite.
The Winner Of The 2011 Arnold Classic Will Be ...
|
Discounts & Deals - Sign Up!
Click Image To Enlarge.
(5 characters minimum)