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2002-YEAR END REVIEW

Written by Chad Nicholls

Tuesday, 31 December 2002

Page 1 of 3

For the body building community, 2002 was quite an eventful year; full of comebacks, injuries, upsets and breakups. Here's an overview of how things happened in the sport in competition and in everyday life, and a few events that made world headlines:

CONTESTS:
*The 2002 season kicked off in February with the Pro Ironman. This show always has a great lineup as it is a warm-up for a lot of the guys who are also doing the Arnold Classic. The Pro Ironman began a competition battle between Chris Cormier and Lee Priest. Chris won his 4^th Ironman title, while Lee came in a close second.

*The 2002 season kicked off in February with the Pro Ironman. This show always has a great lineup as it is a warm-up for a lot of the guys who are also doing the Arnold Classic. The Pro Ironman began a competition battle between Chris Cormier and Lee Priest. Chris won his 4^th Ironman title, while Lee came in a close second. *A week earlier than usual this year, the Arnold Classic moved to the last weekend in February, rather than it's usual first weekend in March spot. The primary buzz was for Jay Cutler, after his second place appearance at the Mr. Olympia, several months prior. The question still loomed, however, as to whether Jay could not only repeat his Mr. Olympia conditioning only a few months later, but whether he could repeat it without the many diuretics he flunked on at the Olympia.

The weekend turned out to be outstanding, with the Expo hall packed, as usual. Susie Curry came in after winning her second straight Olympia title, to take home another Fitness International victory, while Yaxeni Oriquen gave her best appearance ever to edge out Valentina Chepiga in the women's body building overall.

Jay Cutler ended up beating Chris Cormier for the Arnold and also won the Most Muscular award. However, the question was did he win with the same physique he brought to the Olympia, and the answer was NO. His physique was good from the front, but from the back he was tremendously softer than the Olympia and his waist appeared much thicker.

Jay Cutler Capping off the weekend buzz was the rumor flying around that Jay didn't want to take the drug test. Rumor was that he wanted to take it upon returning to the night event, as he supposedly couldn't "go". However, IFBB officials wouldn't let Jay leave the venue until he took the test, which he obviously did and that was the end of that. Other rumors flew to the effect that Jay was guaranteed his sample wouldn't be tested and so on and so on - but that is why they are rumors - no one will probably really know what really went on, except Jay.

*Following the Arnold was the San Francisco Pro show. Everyone felt Chris Cormier would win this event in a landslide after a solid second place showing at the Arnold; however, Lee Priest had other plans. It became a battle between the two competitors and Lee prevailed as the victor. It was a controversial win, however, as many felt Chris still could've beaten Lee.

*Next in line was the Austrian Grand Prix where Chris Cormier came out on top, winning the show with Dexter Jackson taking home the second place payday.

Kelley Ryan *Even without names like Kelly Ryan and Susie Curry gracing the stage at the New York Pro Fitness competition, there was still a stellar lineup and lots of excitement, as Adela Friedmansky and Jen Henderschot wound up first and second respectively. The main question I have, and what I feel to be an ongoing problem with the consistency in fitness is this: In the New York Pro Show, Tracey Greenwood placed 20^th, then within a few short months, with little changes in her routine and physique ends up qualifying for the Olympia - how does this happen?

*Australia was the next stop for the men where the battle against Chris Cormier and Dexter Jackson continued. However, the end result was the same, Chris won and Dexter was second. The interesting side bar to this show, however, was the Jaroslav Horvath [a virtual unknown] qualified for the Olympia here placing third and BEATING (in an upset) Kevin Levrone, who had to settle for a disappointing fourth place finish.

*A new show was marked on the calendar this year and for its first time out, was a great success. The Southwest Pro Show marked the comeback of Paul Dillett, but unfortunately Paul fell short, not qualifying for the Olympia as he had hoped, or even making the top 5 for that matter. The surprise of the weekend, however, were Bob Cicherillo (2^nd) and George Farah (3^rd) qualifying for the Olympia. This also marked the first pro win for Darrem Charles. There was controversy however, stirred among whether Bob or George deserved their qualifying spots, or whether J.D. Dawadu should have placed above either or both of them. The answer, NO! Bob and George both beat J.D. in every pose from every angle, bottom line!

This show also, featured pro women's body building where newcomer Betty Viana took home the overall women's title. As well, Kelly Ryan won the women's fitness.

Kim was on par to do very well at the show and even qualify for the Olympia as she easily won both the physique (swimsuit) rounds. However, 3 seconds into her 45 second routine, she blew out her knee and basically just hobbled through the rest of the show. However, she is healing great and what the injury was able to do, and what I was able to do because of the injury was convince her to NEVER compete in fitness again - as I HATE the routines more than anything - more than I can express! After watching Kelly's routine, which is awesome, all the rest just become a boring delay in the show and all I want to do is pull my f*cking hair out! Thank God for FIGURE!

*The Night of Champions is always a great show chock full of athletes. Markus Ruhl won the show with Bob Cicherillo coming in second, solidifying his placement and legitimacy as to whether or not he was worthy of his prior placement at the Southwest Pro.

Just as a note, for 2003 the Night of Champions will include EVERYTHING! Men's and Women's Body Building, Fitness and Figure - so it should be a don't miss weekend.

*At the Toronto Pro Show, Nimrod King, actually became a Nimrod! I personally don't have a problem with him; however, I do have a problem with the fact that none of the athletes have received a dime of their prize money yet! Aside from that, it was a great show and an upset as newcomer Art Atwood, who no one even thought had a chance of qualifying for the Olympia, defeated Markus Ruhl, who had just won the NOC.

Art, can you say L A W Y E R??!! I mean, you are talking $10,000.00 here - in addition to all the blood, sweat and tears you put into the show - I think the promoter should be held accountable! (Side note - the Toronto will be held again in 2003, however, Nimrod will no longer promote the show.)

*I always look forward to the last week in July, as it marks the USA Championships in its seemingly permanent home of Las Vegas - and I LOVE LAS VEGAS! To me, this year was an upset, as I felt Kris Dim should've won one of the 2 pro cards, if not the overall. As it ended up, however, Idrise Ward-El (super-heavyweight winner) took the overall and Troy Alves (Heavyweight winner) received the second pro card. Both card winners are great athletes and deserving of pro cards, but it's just a shame that as good as Kris looked, he was denied.

The women's body building pro card winner was a thickly muscled Rosemary Jennings. I'm not even going to mention the fitness - they gave away six (6) pro cards for God sake! Enough said!

*The 2002 Masters Olympia (held in conjunction with the Jan Tana), marked the exciting rematch of Vince Taylor and Don Youngblood. 2001 was a controversial win for reigning champion, Vince Taylor; however, Don received his revenge in 2002. This year it was Don's turn to take home the Sandow.

The Jan Tana women's body building featured the comeback of Nancy Lewis. She looked better than ever and easily won the overall title. As well, Kelly Ryan continued her winning streak with the fitness title.

This show could be great, except for the fact that Jan seems to think the show is about her, rather than putting everything into the athletes. She probably spent more on entertainment and dresses than she did on prize money for the women.

*This years' Team Universe started out to be just the same ole' qualifier for the USA Team trip to the World Championships, but who would've guessed it would turn out to be one of the season's most controversial events? Skip LaCour won the overall in probably one of his best showings ever and at the age of 40, proved that he can hang with anyone.

Now, the controversy came at the National Meeting. For the past 2 years, the United States has been unable to send a Team USA to the World

Championships due to the problems we face with the Middle East, and it would be a risk for us to send a team over. With this in mind, the winners of the Team Universe have been denied a chance for pro status [as winning the World's gives one pro status]. So, at the 2002 National Meeting a vote was taken, and everyone agreed that from the time we stopped sending a team to the World (2 years retroactive) and from now on, the Team Universe would be a pro qualifier. Side note - next year, the World's is slated to be in another Middle Eastern Country. So, congratulations go out to new pros, Skip LaCour and Greg Rando.

This has become quite a heated debate as to whether or not people feel this was fair, as many felt the athlete's didn't earn the pro card, but were GIVEN a card. If you would like to join the debate and voice your opinion, go to the "Great Debates" section on the www.musclemayhem.com discussion board.

*Now to the Big Show! This years' event was pretty exciting for me, as I had a new client join my team. In the late spring of 2002, through a mutual friend, Lenda Murray contacted me concerning if I would be able to assist her in a bid for a 7^th (record breaking) Ms. Olympia victory. Now that Kim is retired from women's body building - and yes she's still retired - no comeback here - there was no conflict, so I was more than willing to help Lenda. I knew if I could ever work with her, she could bring one hell of a physique to the stage. And that, she did! When Lenda took the stage, any question of whether or not she still had "it" went out the door. She still had her trademark "V" taper and beautiful structure, but we were able to give her a fully muscled, while ultra lean look. Needless to say, she won the heavyweight class, convincingly, and of course the overall to give her a record breaking 7^th Ms. Olympia victory.

Susie Curry 12

The Fitness Olympia was a shot at Susie Curry winning a 3^rd consecutive Olympia title, which she did. Although Susie isn't known for having the best physique, or the best routines, she is consistently solid in both rounds and when the scores are added, she always comes out on top.

On to the men. . .The question here wasn't who would win the show, but where everyone else would place. Ronnie went on to his 5^th Olympia victory. We brought him in much smaller than he needed to be - he looked like he did when he won the Arnold - but Ronnie needs to be BIG - so that is our game plan for 2003 - FREAKY and BIG!

Kevin Levrone surprised many, as earlier in the year while at a Weider meeting, many thought he looked as though there were no way he could make it to the show, what does he do, but turn around and make a great 2^nd place showing at the Olympia. Although his legs still could come up more, he looked better than he had in years.

The surprise of the year, however, was the jump in placement and the size and conditioning, of Gunter Schlierkamp. He rose from 15^th in 2001, all the way up to 5^th in 2002. At 300 pounds, Gunter was the heaviest body builder ever to grace the stage - and as he continues to grow, he will be a continuous threat to the title.

*Three weeks later, the GNC Show of Strength made for the upset of the year. This was the inaugural GNC Show of Strength held in New Orleans, Louisiana and it will continue to be talked about for years to come, as this was the first time a Mr. Olympia had been defeated since Samir Banout was beaten by Lee Haney.

Gunter Schlierkamp defeated Ronnie Coleman. Both looked incredible. Gunter was 300 pounds, massive and ripped and Ronnie came in 20 pounds heavier than 3 weeks earlier at the Olympia and in phenomenal shape. It was a battle to the end. Gunter prevailed as the victor. This was the first ever win for Gunter and the biggest payday of his career.

The women's body building was a clear cut victory for Yaxeni Oriquen. Many felt Iris Kyle would easily win after placing second in her class to Lenda Murray at the Ms. Olympia three weeks prior. However, Yaxeni showed up to the Show of Strength in her winning Ms. International form, and gave Iris all kinds of trouble. Yaxeni not only took the heavyweight title, but won the overall.

Kelly Ryan softened her physique and made some good cosmetic changes. This coupled with her usual awesome routines catapulted her to victory. Adela Friedmansky was the surprise of this show, not only winning the physique rounds, but making Kelly's victory one of only a few points. Jenny Worth, however, trying to make up for a soft appearance at the Olympia, dwindled down too much for this event, having a drawn face and very low energy during the routine rounds, making for a disappointing 3^rd place finish.

It didn't take long after the show for the rumors to start flying about Gunter beating Ronnie. The bulk of the rumors focused on the IFBB wanting to send out a message to the public that Mr. Olympia CAN be beaten. Others felt it was a ploy to boost ticket sales for next years' Olympia weekend. Whatever the reasoning, the bottom line is that Ronnie is STILL Mr. Olympia and Gunter won the GNC Pro and the 2003 Mr. Olympia will be the most anticipated show in years.

*Closing the year in competition was the 2002 Nationals. This was the largest National show in the history of the NPC, with 301 competitors. The crowning moment of the event was Tony Freeman, who hadn't competed since 1996, coming back not only looking great, but winning his class and the overall title. Congratulations to Tony for receiving his pro card.