When the urinalysis drug test results were reported following the recent Musclemania World and America Championships in Las Vegas , a quick analysis showed a surprisingly high number of international competitors had tested positive. It was almost as if some were completely naive that Musclemania World Tour events are promoted as natural, drug free shows or just chose to ignore the rules and cheated their way to the show.  Consider that all of the positive tests were competitors from outside North America including every member of Team China !

With the most impressive natural bodybuilders ever seen on one stage, the recent Musclemania America & World Championships was a spectacle of muscle mass, incredible shape and diced condition.  Sweeping the MM Pro World was Morris Mendez who's been out of site for three years.  The 39 year old youth counselor delivered a complete package and was able to beat 2007  MM Pro World winner Ricardo Plata of Columbia who was in his best form ever.  The MM America Champion was Las Vegas local natural hero Carl Matthew Jr., a heavyweight who's won many other natural and non-tested shows but was never able to conquer the Musclemania title.  Close behind was an imposing Adrain Childers of Colorado who at 6'2", 230 lbs. has an amazing future in natural bodybuilding.  Following the show, he said, "I should have been heavier and promise to rise in Miami (MM Universe) weighing close to 250!"  In the LHW Class Korean veteran bodybuilding veteran Son Young Joo narrowly beat out Rod Stanley.  But in one of the most competitive races in the show was MW Class star and San Francisco native Bill Simpson who surprised everyone with incredible shape and muscle maturity.  He beat Texas star DeWayne Malone who was packed with muscle but needing more diet and Moses Ajala who had his usually amazing muscle quality.  Following the Athletes Meeting, Bill asked what it took to become a Musclemania Pro and now he has the answer.  Probably one of the most improved bodybuilders was Victor Montoya of Honduras who competed 5 lbs. heavier and with better condition that at MM Universe earlier in the season.  The 5'6", 160 lbs. personal trainer posed like a champion and earned the title and with it MM Pro status.  Two amazing Juniors were equally impressive but in different ways.  Winner Larry Camacho competed 10 lbs. heavier than last year and spellbound the audience with classic shape and posing.  But dominating in height and structure was Junior Runner-Up and Novice HW Champ Nick Del Toro, a Houston area college student who at 6'3", 220 lbs. could crush his competition at MM Universe in June.  The show was probably the best Musclemania America & World  seen in years and more reports, profiles and photos will be posted in the days ahead.

 Two of the most improved natural bodybuilders in Las Vegas were MM America Junior Champ Larry Camacho and MM World LW Champ Victor Montoya who both were disappointed with recent contest placings but have returned with amazing improvements.   Larry last competed at the '07 MM World placing 3rd and Victor at the '08 MM Universe placing 2nd.  But with an added 10 lbs. and 5 lbs., respectively, and with even better conditioning, there was no doubt who should have won this time.  Larry is a 21 year old college student in Long Beach, CA, who at 19 years old first competed in 2006.  But he will take a sabbatical of sorts from serious bodybuilding training when he  

With many of the East Coast's most impressive athletes, the recent Fitness New York Championships couldn't have been more exciting!  There was a bunch of new bodies who'd never competed including Novice's Greg Rossi and Derek Gibson , two amazing Philly musclemen trained by Mr. Pennsylvania Joe Patton .  He won the LHW Class with classic shape and full muscle bellies.  HW Class winner Anthony Ferguson came all the way from the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia with a massive and symmetrical physique.  And Junior Champ Pean Saliasi , a local Queens college student, impressed the audience with his 200+ lbs. body.  Next week, a full Musclemania New York report will be posted with behind-the-scenes photos and results.

We recently heard from Musclemania Pros Syed Fazli (left) and Ade Rai, Asia's most successful natural bodybuilders.  Syed last competed at the 2007 MM Pro Superbody and Ade hasn't seen a Musclemania stage since winning the 2000 MM Pro World.  Over the past year, Syed has been busy appearing in numerous Malaysian television commercials and advertising campaigns.  The 5'8", 210 lbs. star is one of the country's most prolific athletic successes stories.   Ade is legendary in his native Indonesia as a television fitness star. Ade owns a chain of health clubs, sports nutrition, athletic sportswear and equipment companies.  But due to chronic training injuries, he says, "I think my competition days are over.  It's up to the younger guys to pick-up where I left off."  Ade has always been a role model for Indonesian bodybuilders while promoting natural health and fitness.  Syed says, "I'll be back soon.  Its exciting and interesting being part of the television industry, but I really miss competing."  Like Ade, Syed credits bodybuilding for his current high tide.  He says, "None of these other things would be happening if it wasn't for my training."  Hopefully, we will see Syed competing on the MM stage again soon and welcome Ade as a special guest.

The recent Musclemania Texas may have featured some impressive natural physiques, but first time competitor Tyler Dean posed with a swagger reminiscent of a veteran ace.  The 29 year old pharmaceutical salesman had developed such an impressive off-season physique that his gym buddies finally convince him to diet, tan and hit the posing dais.  The former collegiate wrestler easily won both the Novice and Open Men's Divisions with his 5'7", 175 lbs. physique.  "Fitness has taught me so much about discipline, setting goals, perseverance, dedication and believing in myself," said Tyler.  He says he wants to work on his symmetry and come into Musclemania America in Las Vegas  

Since winning the recent Musclemania Universe, Derrick Ternida has been ecstatic.  "Its been a dream for me," he recently wrote.  "I have been training every year to reach this goal in my career.  Its been so tough for my wife and I, always seeking sponsors for my training, supplements and travel to America."  Every year since 2003, Derrick made the long journey from the Philippines winning his weight class twice. Now with his newly earned Musclemania Pro status, Derrick has returned home a national Filipino hero.  "When I got home, the Municipality of Taytay, Rizal, honored me with an award for outstanding citizenship for making the people of Taytay proud after winning the MMU.  And, the Rizal Provincial Governor Casimiro A. Ynares III, MD approved a resolution congratulating me on my Musclemania victory."  For American bodybuilders, receiving civic honors for winning bodybuilding competitions is more than unusual.  But for many international competitors, bodybuilding is an avenue for them to set their career paths.  Derrick explains, "I want to change things here  in the Philippines so that  my countrymen can excel in sports like bodybuilding - not just boxing. I want to promote the sport in the Philippines. I've become a sensation because I came home with a world class level title in the USA.  Now I must continue to earn the respect of my fellow sportsmen."

He had never visited America, but that did not stop 19 year old Jiri Borkovec from storming over the Junior Division competition at the '07 Musclemania Universe in Miami.  At 5'10", 185 lbs., the Czech national had already won the National and European Junior Championships before taken on the world's best.  "I've had been training since 13 years old and wanted to wait until I was ready and confident," said Jiri.  But since last year's show, he's been training so he can return next year and move into the Men's Open Division.  Jiri explains, "I have the muscle condition, but now I am just focusing on size, size, size.  My goal is 95 kg (209 lbs.), so I am waiting for two years.  I want to win the overall title and become a

Two former Pakistan National Champions came to make their mark at MM Universe.  Ashfaq Butt, a mammoth 6'2", 226 lbs. South Asian bodybuilder won the HW Class, and Shoaib Zahor, a legendary Paki who is known for his incredible shape.  Ashfaq beat out an awe inspiring line-up of 200+ pounders to earn his MM Pro card.  But Shoaib narrowly missed being a LW Class Top 5 Finalist due to water retention resulting from the long 17,000 mile flight from Islabadad to Miami.  This was Ashfaq's second foray on the Musclemania World Tour having placed last year in Hollywood.  He said he was determined to returned home to train, increase his muscle mass and bring back to Musclemania a new physique.  "I was so impressed last year that I knew I what I had to do to win, especially working on my calves and hamstrings.  The American judges want symmetry, so it was my priority for the past six months," explained Ashfaq.  Both bodybuilders train at Shoaib's gym in Lahore, Pakistan, where many of the country's best bodybuilders can be found training in large home gyms, sport clubs and a burgeoning commercial fitness centers.  Now that Ashfaq has earned MM Pro status, he professed that, "It has been such a personal, financial and professional sacrifice. It means so much to have earned this level in my career.  It it would be such an honor and want my family and country to be proud, too."  Both Ashfaq and Shoaib have six month stays on their US visas and will remain in the US and compete at MM World in Las Vegas in November.  Says Shoaib, "I don't plan on returning home without a first place trophy this time."  

It was an intense show in Miami where MM Pro Universe Champion Jeff Beckham was the dominate victor.  The 6'1", 225 lbs., 27 year old, Queens, New York, personal trainer was bigger than his less than stellar shape at the '07 MM Pro World but you know he felt good about himself and had no problem telling the audience so during his posing routine.  "Nobody trains harder than me . . . Nobody!," he rapped.  "Just this morning I wrestled and alligator, tussled with a whale, handcuffed thunder and put lighting in jail.  I murdered a rock, injured a stone, and hospitalized a brink.  I'm so ill I make medicine sick!  You Pros better battle for Number Two cause Number One - I got this title on lock down son!"  Yes, the guy

Having never even seen a bodybuilding competition before, Floridian personal trainer Marcus Major had to be convinced by his buddies to diet and prepare for MM Universe.  The 26 year old former prep four sport letterman says he always had great genetics.  "In high school, I would lift weights after football practice just because I liked doing it," said Marcus.  "The coaches and other guys thought I was using steroids because I was always muscular, but I did not even know what the stuff was."  And, when Marcus signed up for the Novice HW Class at the MM Universe, his high school weight lifting foundation almost paid off big time.  Following the Prejudging, he had the highest score - so high that Marcus could

Nearly 500 natural bodybuilders, fitness, bikini, figure and model competitors from around the world all focused on Miami, Florida, for the recent Universe Weekend.  The largest audiences ever attended plus many industry leaders exhibited created a jammed venue. Then, over 400 fitness fans crashed the After Party at Mansion's in South Beach with everything being wrapped on Sunday afternoon at the Beach & Pool Party at Shore Club. The incredible response to the 10th anniversary show featured some of the hottest stars and bevy of new Musclemaniacs including New York HW Jeff Beckham, 1st Pro, Mr. Pakistan Asfaq Butt 1st HW Open, Chilean sensation Juan Pablo Salgado 3rd HW Open, Florida Junior Powerlifting Champion Yumon Eaton 1st Junior HW and many others.  The Universe Weekend was a spectacular experience and plans are already being made to expand the show next year. Complete results are posted and the Gallery will be updated soon.

For years, New Yorker Ahmed Rhodes has been training everyday after work.  As a UPS driver, he's always attracting attention walking into businesses to drop-off and pick-up packages and getting comments and questions about his impressive 5'11", 200 lbs. physique.  He says, "I try to model here and there when I can. But, I'm a simple man.".  It was Ahmed's friends that have finally convinced him to compete at Musclemania Universe.   At 37 years of age, Ahmed says, "I have never entered anything like this before. I was told it is a lot of fun and there are a whole lot of sexy in shape women from around the world that show up at this show."   The Bronx native has taken on life's challenges and made it

It's been over a year and a half since anyone has seen MM Pro David Whittaker on stage, but the California bodybuilding scene has been talking a lot about him lately.  Rumor has it that the 6'3" giant has packed on some serious size weighing nearly 250 lbs. with just 4% body fat!  The scuttlebutt is that David is holding off before returning to the posing dias until he can completely overwhelm everyone, even juiceheads.  During his last competitive season, he won both the MM Pro Universe and MM Pro World.  But there's a lot of new bodies on the MM Pro stage and David will have to deal with some fresh new muscle.  And, will he be able to take on the incredibly popular and shape of Morris Mendez and the sheer

Since moving to Ft. Lauderdale two years ago, MM Pro David Lovelace has amped his game plan.  The 5'10", 195 lbs. life time natural bodybuilder won MM Pro status last year at MM Universe and has layed low the entire year to make his debut.  But his training has been consistent ever since his first competition.  "I love training, but I keep it balanced with martial arts and lots of basketball," explained David.  The 31 year old Bally's personal trainer has gained 30 lbs. of muscle over the past 5 years. "I only gain about 5-7 lbs. of muscle every year, but I stay in shape all season . . . never getting more than 10 lbs. out of shape."  And, David says he's been training this year especially hard out to take down Jeff Beckham and Jermaine Morgan at MM

After a sensational inaugural performance on the Musclemania World Tour, Team India is preparing a squad of 10 bodybuilders for MM Universe.  With just 4 bodybuilders at the '07 MM World, they still able to captured the BW Class title and 3 other Top 5 placings including Krishna Murthy (photo) and aim to become Team Champions in Miami.  Lead by Indian Body Building Federation President Madhav Pujari, over 30 officials, trainers, coaches and supporters will also make up the Indian delegation.  The organization recently held a special selection competition in New Delhi at which over 300 bodybuilders competed to be a member of  Musclemania Team India at MM Universe.  The delegation will leave from New Delhi, Mombai and Calcutta and reandeaux at Miami International Airport.  And, for most of these bodybuilders, the two-day, 15,000 mile trip will an experience of a lifetime.  Says Murthy, "To be able to compete in Hollywood and now Miami is a dream that most of us Indian bodybuilders will never realize.  I am most blessed and thankful for this wonderful opportunity and wish to represent my country with honor."

At the recent Musclemania Atlantic, Jeff Beckham took the stage and challenged fellow MM Pro's Morris Mendez and Hugh Ross to a posedown - "any time, any place"!  The six foot, 240 lbs. New Yorker lost to the veteran Ross at last year's MM World in Hollywood and has sworn never to loose again.  The contest was Ross' first as a MM Pro following his win at the '05 MM Atlantic.  Mendez hasn't competed since the '05 MM World on the heals of his big win at the '05 MM Superbody in Miami.  Although he claims he will be bigger than ever at the upcoming MM Universe in Miami (he's promising a lean 230 lbs.), Beckham still won't be able to face Mendez and Ross since both have chosen to wait it out.   As

He's competed at Musclemania Atlantic for the past three years and won the Junior Division last year. But, last weekend, Jermaine Morgan surprised everyone with a physique that was beyond his 20 years. At 5'7", 185 lbs., the Connecticut bodybuilder won his weight class and overall title beating seasoned natural bodybuilders including regional favorites like Bennett Streets and Domino Tanco. Jermaine said he gained 10 lbs. of muscle from last year which he attributed to lucky circumstances. "I was laid off from my job, so for the past 5 months all I've been doing is train twice a day, eat seven meals and lots of sleep. And, dam it worked big time!" On Sunday, the day after the show, Jermaine was

When Lazo Freeman first competed at Musclemania Universe in Miami, you would think that the guy had been hitting weights for years.  But the 27 years old chemical engineer got started because of a magazine advertisement.  "Actually, I've been training for almost four years.  I had the Superman/Clark Kent syndrome, or the ugly duck fable.  Back in 2004, I was a fat unhealthy geek, studying chemical engineering at London's top university UCL. Sick and tired of how I looked, I wanted to look like the guys in Musclemania, really.  So, I entered and won the EAS Body For Life Challenge Transformation.  I took up bodybuilding and personal training seriously to help others achieve their fitness goals, too, and eventually compete and won a few UK shows.  So, after developing the kind of body I was finally proud of, I decided it was time to take it stateside (USA) and entered my first Musclemania show as a Novice Heavyweight.  What a dream come true!  The perpetration, overcoming the trail and tribulation and mental challenge before the show, then flying over to Miami, meeting all the other awesome competitors, making friends and then actually wining my division.  I had a fantastic time!  My next step is to become a MM Pro at the MM World in Hollywood in November.  I will be putting on size to compete at 220 pounds. But in the mean time, I have registered my own charity to raise money for treatment for disfigured kids, the "Charity for the Impaired".  It feels like I have been given so much as a British Iraqi and its time for me to contribute back."  Lazo has made a life changing physical transition, academic progression and, now, public service.  And, no doubt, there will be more ambitions and achievements in his athletic, professional and personal life.

Like most bodybuilding competitions, you always see a variety of good talent but only a couple outstanding bodies that causes the audience to gasp.  At last year's Musclemania New York, there was such a bodybuilder who's humble demeanor was in stark contradiction to his enormous and balanced physique.  Mackenzi Philippeaux had trained in Haiti for all of his 32 years and was in Brooklyn, New York, visiting relatives when he saw an advertisement for the show.  "I said to myself, 'It's time to get your ass into shape'", said Mackenzi.  The 5'5", 165 lbs., trainer has been training since he was 16 years old as an outlet to the incredible poverty in which he lived.  He explains, "My family lives on $150 per month.  Can you

When MM Pro Tommy Alston hit the MM World stage last November, he was undoubtedly in the best shape of his life.  Bigger, more symmetrical and conditioned.  The man was on his game, but placing third behind Ricardo Plata and High Ross was not.  Tommy had layed low for a year, developed more mass, especially in his arms, and really had the best physique of his life.  On any other day, he could have won the show.  Yes, the guy left California disappointed and rightly so.  But since then, he hasn't lost his zeal to make an even better appearance the next time he takes the stage.  Tommy explains it best.  "After placing third, I decided to give my body a much needed rest. For the first time in

From the madness of the gym to the demands of the ring, massive MM Heavyweight Champion Rob Terry (photo, second right) continues to tear up his competition while training with the WWE in Georgia.  The 6'4", 280 lbs. behemoth has amazed bodybuilding audiences since he first competed at 17 years of age and all the while remaining drug-free.  His commitment to natural bodybuilding has helped Rob create an incredibly athletic yet massively developed physique and in condition all year long.  He hopes to move from WWE's training league to their top tier, televised show line-up.  Move over John Cena, because a new creation will soon storm the ring!  More news about Big Rob as he reports it.

The upcoming Musclemania Atlantic in East Haven, CT, will mark its 10th Anniversary as New England's spring time classic of natural bodybuilding.  Over the years, some of the world's best natural stars were first introduced to the competitive world of bodybuilding including Morris Mendez, Ulisses Jr., Jeffrey Beckham, David Lovelace and many others.  And, this year's show will host a bevy of drug-free physiques wanting to make their mark on the sport including Bennett Streets, Domingo Tanco and Max Nicholas.  Many of the Musclemania competitors will be priming themselves for Musclemania Universe in Miami in June, so expect to see some amazing physiques!  Promoter Brian Cannone promises another sold-out show which will feature a fitness expo with many local fitness exhibitors and the Ms. Bikini, Fitness, Figure and Model Atlantic competitions with over 150 beautiful ladies.  So, mark your calendar for April 25.

Now in its 6th Season, the Fitness Mexico Tour expands this year with six exciting shows held throughout the country!  Because of popular demand, Musclemania, Ms. Bikini, Figure and Model Mexico shows have grown with big shows in Mexico, Latino and Prestige and now welcome new regional events in Aguacalientes, Chihuahua, Cancun and Juarez.  This is especially good news for beginning competitors who want some first time experience but still desire national publicity.  The Fitness Mexico Tour was the career starting point of Angel Rangel, Ricardo Delgado, Siena Cano and so many other Mexican stars.  Of course, the shows are open to all Latin competitors

Since competing at '05 Musclemania World in Hollywood, Heavyweight Class Winner James Kohler has been on a mission to make his bodybuilding career one of his life's challenges. Absent from the MM Pro scene since the show, he has been pursuing many commercial opportunities including self publishing his own book, " Muscle Rx, Your Prescription for the Ultimate Physique." In the softbound book, James shows you how to learn more and stay motivated while achieving your ultimate physique most efficiently. The 6'4", 250 lbs. natural giant explains how to increase your mental strength and set goals effectively.  James says that, "You  can take the

One of Iraq's most prominent bodybuilders was preparing for Musclemania Universe when he was injured in a car bomb last month. Firas Gerges owns a local Baghdad gym and was making the 10 minute walk on a path from his home to work when the explosion occurred causing extensive physical damage and sending 28 people to the hospital. Firas was hit by glass and metal fragments in his chest, shoulder and legs and is now recovering at home.  "It would have been my first competition outside of Iraq," Firas said referring to his plans to compete in Miami.  The 27 year old former Mr. Iraq is married with two children started training as a teenager with his

Two of the best natural Musclemania bodybuilders on the world stage are Shoaib Zahoor of Pakistan and Rob Terry of Wales.  With a height difference of nearly a foot, both athletes have a long, popular and respected competitive careers.  Most recently, Shoaib won the '06 MM Britain MW Class and is preparing for MM Universe in Miami.  Rob dominated the '06 MM World HW Class at Universal Studios in Hollywood.  Shoaib has been training for over 20 years and owns a popular Lahore fitness center while Rob has competed since 17 years of age and won every British junior division competition entered.  At 5'6", 180 lbs., Shoaib explains that he has most recently been training for symmetry.  "Like

Well he hasn't competed since 1999, but American Gladiator Alex Castro, has struck gold as "Militia" on the new NBC television show.  He's competed only once at the Musclemania Superbody and was a Top 5 Finalist in the Heavyweight Class.  But, as the 6'2", 240 lbs. athlete put it, "I enjoy eating too much to go through that diet again."  Alex continued, "Bodybuilding is very popular in Cuba.  I started lifting when I was just 14 years old and by the time I came to the US, I weighed 250 lbs. and was in good condition."  The former Musclemania bodybuilder immigrated from Cuba ten years ago and was hired as a bartender and bar dancer at popular Mango's Tropical Cafe in South Beach,

He started training at 15 years old and just 18 months later Juri Borkovec won the '05 Czech National Junior Championships.  Then, two years later, the 5'10", 190 lbs. natural bodybuilder came to America and won the '07 Musclemania Superbody in Miami.  "It was my first time competing in America, so I really trained harder than ever for the contest.  I did not know what to expect, but I wanted to win," said Juri.  And, win big time he did!  At 21 years of age, Juri was in top condition for the show and swept Junior HW Division competitors like Brandon Bass (Texas) and stomped LW Division winner Alvin Viernes (Hawaii).  Bodybuilding is just one of many other athletic pastimes for Juri which also include

It was his first time competing at a Musclemania show, so Illinois natural bodybuilder Habideen Olaniran did not know what to expect.   But by night's end, the 20 year old college student had won his class and the overall title! At 5'9", 182 lbs., Habideen has been training for just 3 years but has consistently increased his lean muscle mass by 15 lbs. every year. In the off-season, he maintains a lean diet but admits a lot of his gains are luck. "I really eat junk in the off-season because I can't afford the usual bodybuilder's diet - you know, eggs, chicken breast, tuna and stuff. Burger King keeps me full and its cheap," admits Habideen.  "As much as possible, I take protein shakes, creatine and other supplements. But closer to a show I just

When you look at the arms of Angelo Rossi you realize that this guy's really in love with competing.  For that past two years, this Italian Musclemania fanatic has literally tatoo each Musclemania competition he has competed on a different part of his arms including Musclemania Universe, Italy, World and Las Vegas.  Angelo is fanatical about Musclemania shows and says, "These shows are like nothing else we have in Europe.  I feel like a king when I compete at Musclemania!"  The 27 year old personal trainer speaks no English but when he competes in the US, Angelo is expressive with his energy, excitement and enthusiasm for the sport of natural bodybuilding . . . and, of course, all

He trains among humble surroundings and has made incredible financial and personally sacrifices to become the world's best natural bodybuilder.  Columbia's Ricardo Plata (photo left with '06 MM Champ Nick Jones) has been weight training since a teenager but the 35 year old lifetime natural bodybuilder has only been competing in the past 10 years.  "I started competing in some NABBA, IFBB and WABBA, shows but they wasn't the kind of shows I liked.  I won my weight class at the Columbian and South American Championships, but when I learned that Musclemania was for drug free bodybuilders, I knew it was for me," said Ricardo.   The 5'7", 190 lbs. personal training is a local legend and has a bevy of

For nearly 20 years, California bodybuilder Danny Hester has been competing in Musclemania and NPC shows and is always a class favorite.  And at the recent Musclemania World, he returned to the stage weighing 161 lbs. and thanks to his dense, mature muscle development and small bone structure, he had the appearance of a bodybuilder 25 lbs. heavier.  The 38 year old fitness equipment designer was a state ranked high school wrestler and began bodybuilding on a whim when he was just 19.  His three brothers were all jocks, too, so staying athletic after high school, through college and beyond was a big influence on Danny.  He won virtually every bodybuilding show he entered for many years and is still respected as one

"I trained so hard for this show and then this?  I am so disappointed."  That was Marie Brandon's response after learning that she would be the only Women's Division competitor at Musclemania World.  But, she took it like the veteran she is and presented herself in classic fashion for the audience.  "I wasn't going to let it get me down," she said after posing.  The 5'5", 128 fitness professional soon learned that nearly all of the female competitors at the annual Hollywood based show appear in the Ms. Bikini, Fitness, Model and newly added Figure Divisions. Actually, over 250 ladies competed in the other categories.  But Marie was an impressive bodybuilder nonetheless with great muscle development, symmetry and condition.  This lady was

The first ever Musclemania Las Vegas show was held recently and featured some of the desert kingdom's best natural bodybuilders.  Staged at University of Nevada Las Vegas, ironically the winner was the school's Fitness Director who had not competed for 4 years.  At 6'3", 220 lbs., Jay Souza is an impressive competitor and who easily took the title but says he doesn't plan on competing again for a year or two.  "My wife and I would like to have some kids, so that will take me out of the scene for a while," said Jay.  "But when I do come back, it will be straight to the Musclemania World.  That's my next step."  Prior to the competition, some of the fitness, bikini, model and bodybuilding participants appeared at the Media Session which took

When he stripped down to weigh-in at Musclemania New York, all heads turned in amazement.  Here was this 5'4", 170 lbs. freak who no one had ever seen on the natural muscle scene and gives a whole new description to the word "massive".  But in his native Haiti, Mackenzi Philippeaux is legendary having won all of the country's national titles.  On vacation in New York, he decided to jump into MM New York after prodding by one of his friends without a diet or even depleting his water.  "While I am here, I wanted to compete as much as possible and when I learn that Musclemania was in town, I couldn't pass up the show.  Back home in Haiti, I see the show on ESPN all the time.  So, I was pretty excited," explained Mackenzi.  He went on

You saw him at the 2005 & 2006 Musclemania Canada and 2005 World, but with all the hype and ballyhoo about this new bodybuilder, he never even won his weight class.  Matt Tsinkorang probably has some of the best genetics and natural muscle development seen in years.  But, in every show he competed, he was never ever able to get into contest condition.  "I was holding water, too much and I did not know why," said the former Canadian high school football player.  But his life and body have changed dramatically since last year.  Matt explained, "I started a real estate investment company and it is paying off better than I ever dreamed in the first year.  Before, I was missing that financial security, but now I have the resources I need to eat

One of the newest Musclemania stars is upstate New York's Matt Franco , a 23 year old natural bodybuilder who says bodybuilding was a sport meant to be for him.  The Musclemania Saratoga Champion says, "Growing up with parents who promoted a healthy lifestyle and being fit has made the dedication to the sport of bodybuilding easy for me."  The 5'7", 165 lbs. runs his own personal training company, but his full time job is as a nuclear medicine technologist.  Matt says, "Having two very demanding jobs has posed challenges with finding time for bodybuilding, but in the end, we all find time to pursue what we love to do.  I love forward to more Musclemania events and earning

One of Canada's hottest new bodybuilders really isn't so new. At 37 years of age, Kane Sumabat has always had an incredibly developed physique. At 5'10", 185 lbs., he maintains a very lean musculature with just 5% body fat year-round but has never competed. Well, that's about to change at Musclemania Canada when Kane straps on his first set of posing trunks and shows what 25 years of weight training can do for a body. The Toronto personal trainer regularly does one arm pull-ups with ease, walking hand stands and a variety of other calisthenics and acrobatic moves. But, since his teen years, Kane's athletic forte has been martial arts which he claims to keep him limber and loose and his muscles lean and tone.  We will see Kane ready to

In his Musclemania Pro debut, Columbian muscle man *Ricardo Plata* surprised everyone by grabbing 2nd Place at the Superbody Championships in Miami.  Amazingly, for the past 15 years, the 5'6", 190 lbs. store clerk has lived in a small mountain town and trained in his own home
gym.  But, as Ricardo says, "Living away from the big gyms allows me to be creative with my training without the influence of other guys in the gym.  I have learned what work's best for my body by trail and error."
But according to him, food is what really makes a difference living away from the city.  "I grow most of my own vegetables and meat - well, it's simply the best.  My chicken, beef and turkey are all day fresh

For the past 6 years, Malaysia's Syed Fazli has improved his physique and progressed through the Musclemania ranks to become one of the world's most impressive natural professionals.  The 32 year old personal trainer recently competed at MM Superbody in Miami which was disappointed for him.  First time MM Pros Jeff Beckham (1st, USA), Ricardo Plata (2nd, Columbia) and Lajos Konya (3rd, Hungary) forced Syed into 4th Place. "I trained for 2 years and wanted to come home as a Top 3 Finalist," Syed said.  "I was 10 lbs. heavier and with my best symmetry ever, so perhaps it was my condition which lost it for me."  At 200 lbs. on stage, Syed has easily become Asia's most symmetrical, classic bodybuilders.