2006  IFBB San Francisco Pro Men's Grand Prix Review of GMV-628DVD by Gerry Triano
Producer Wayne Gallasch, GMV Video(Australia), www.gmv.com.au Contest Promoters Steve O'Brien/Jon Lindsay - Held on March 11, 2006 Masters of Ceremonies Lonnie Teper, Bob Cicherillo - Head Judge Steve Weinberger Running Time of DVD: 115 minutes contest coverage plus 25 minutes of extras.
 
This DVD covers the early afternoon's prejudging and evening finals with the sharp images and "you are there front row" feel for which the GMV contest videos are acclaimed.
 
The prejudge begins with the top 15 (out of 26 competitors), each called out to execute the mandatory poses. The DVD cover has a Branch Warren vs Gustavo Badell theme, but there were many other great competitors in the top 15 including Melvin Anthony, Armin Scholz, Ahmad Haidar, Johnnie Jackson, Eddie Abbew, Mustafa Mohammad and Toney Freeman.
 
The next round of the prejudge was the callouts for quarter turn comparisons. First callout consisted of Badell, Warren, Anthony, Haidar and Mohammad. After the quarter turns segment was the callouts for comparison of mandatory poses. The first callout was almost the same in this round, except that Freeman replaced Haidar. The competition was spirited, and very audible with Badell's aggressive grunting during mandatories (especially when he executes most muscular) quite a highlight!
 
The evening show began with a minute of posing from each of the non finalists. What Derik Farnsworth may lack in mass he compensates with condition and entertaining posing ability. Then each of the 15 finalists presented their routines. Melvin Anthony is always very special. Branch Warren showed some imagination and Mustafa Mohammad showed theatricality in his deliberate and dramatic posing to Phantom of the Opera. Actually, the overall quality of the posing at this show was at a rather high level than usual from these fine athletes.
 
Next came the introduction of the top 5, and a final comparison and then a posedown. There was an audience poll for a People's Choice award, which went to Branch Warren. Then the announcement of the results: 5th, Toney Freeman, 4th Mustafa Mohammad, 3rd Melvin Anthony, 2nd Branch Warren and winner of the gold medal and sword was Gustavo Badell. As always from GMV, extremely well done and recommended.

There was a titanic battle between Badell and Warren throughout the whole event with the very aggressive Badell finally tasting victory. Gustavo was full, thick and ripped with his Herculean look winning out on the day over the equally massive and sliced Warren. The rivalry seemed quite personal!
 
The DVD Extras include an impromptu posing sequence from Bob Cicherillo, a gym posing sequence from competitor Frank Roberson and training partner David Jacobs the day before the event, and a wonderful slide show of photos from the show.
 
For anyone wanting a total show experience, then the Pump Room DVD from Terry Photo could serve as a good companion to view before the contest DVD. Combined together these 2 DVDs provide a full and absolutely complete record of the competitive experience at the 2006 Sacramento GP event.
For the review on the pump room see A-1141DVD.



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