WAYNE’S HARD NEWS – 2004 FIBO REPORT

This year in Essen was the 19^th spring FIBO and the 10^th FIBO I have shot.  It was memorable for me, but not all for the best reasons!

On the first day, new young FIBO executives asked to see my contract.  I left that for our German distributor Willy to sort out, as we have always worked with a hand shake agreement.  Over the 19 years of FIBO we have given them fabulous free coverage worldwide via our videos.  This is publicity which money could not buy.

On the second day I came down with food poisoning, but that didn’t stop me shooting all the usual varied footage I bring home at the end of the 4 days, but it was a struggle.

It was a different stage layout for 2004 with one huge show stage for the invited physiques to pose on.  Only the invited that was, as I saw far too many outstanding physiques on various booths that were not invited to pose on stage.  I know it would be hard to coordinate, what with all the different posing CDs.  But my suggestion is that all the top physiques present at FIBO on Sunday, the last day, could be invited to join in on one massive pose-down for the fans.  They would love it!

To make my point, here is a list of stars I spoke to who did not get to pose on the show stage:  DEXTER JACKSON, SHAWN RAY, MUSTAFA MOHAMMAD, ED VAN AMSTERDAM, FRANK CUPPENS, HEIKE JUNG, FRANK MICHEL, MIGGER MILAZZO, TONY BROWN, MONICA BRANT and HEIKO KALLBACH plus the ALL STARS team such as ANDREAS FREY, MICHAEL SCHETTER, REGGIANI DA SILVA, NATALIA LENARTOVA, PETER TRENZ and JULIETTE BERGMANN, THOMAS SCHEU, UMBERTO MORANDELL and others I have probably forgotten.

On the main stage they did have a fantastic posing show.  Firstly it was the top amateurs such as DENNIS WOLF (in outstanding condition), MATTHIAS MEIXNER, FERNANDO DOMINGUEZ, WERNER ZENKER, JOSE BOTET CHAPPOTIN, STEVE BENTHIN, INGE BABEL, ANDREAS BOSSE, ANNETT WITTIG, MARIO KAPSER, TAMAR GALAL and pairs ANDREA ADELMANN and GUNNAR PAASCHE.

The incomparable MARIO RIEGER performed in 3 totally different routines, one in which he was part of a 4 man team called MATRIX DOWNLOADED.  It was simply stunning.  I expect he will be performing these new routines at the Olympia Expo in October in Las Vegas.

Next followed the Weider team, which included DENNIS JAMES, GÜNTER SCHLIERKAMP, MARKUS RÜHL, CHRIS COOK, RICHARD JONES and ERNIE TAYLOR.  I must comment on the 2 new guys JONES and COOK.  Richard Jones was in the best condition of anyone at FIBO.  He looked ready to walk out on stage for his pro debut.  This was at the N.O.C., where he qualified for the 2004 Olympia.

Cook, the blond bomber on the cover of all the Weider magazines these days, got a huge reception from the crowd, as did local heroes SCHLIERKAMP and RÜHL.  Günter in particular went into the crowd during his routine to flex a massive bicep in the faces of his adoring fans.

You will see 4 of these guys competing in Las Vegas in October, with Jones and Cook probably destined for big things in Las Vegas in the near future.

For many fans, the highlight was the Saturday appearance of SYLVESTER STALLONE where he was interviewed on the main stage.  He talked about his training, supplements and his career.  The fans loved it.  Afterwards he walked along the barrier shaking hands, signing autographs and posing for photos.  Naturally I recorded every second of this, as we don’t get a big movie star at FIBO every year.

The other posing show was that of Universal Nutrition.  They once got onto the small stage but from then on had to pose on the floor of their booth.  Their stars included ALAIN BELIGUE, ANJA TIMMER, MARIE-PIERRE RIPERT, JOE DE ANGELIS and several others, with Monica Brant as moderator.  Ripert was in superb condition and about 1 month later won her class at the NABBA Worlds.

I also did quite a bit of shooting with top people either at their booth or working out on the huge range of gym equipment to be found at FIBO each year.

Those who especially posed for me included HEIKO KALLBACH and FRANK CUPPENS.  The 7 stars that did workout footage and interviews for me included BRAD HARRIS who demonstrated his AB-ORIGIONALS hanging straps for the abs, 2003 Mr. Germany and now a pro FRANK MICHEL also German pros MIGGER MILAZZO and HEIKE JUNG plus DENNIS WOLF, TONY BROWN and MARIA STIGLER.

There is much more to FIBO than posing shows and apart from some of the fantastic new designs in gym equipment on display, there is workout clothing and every supplement known to man!  I did note the superb new poly-urethane plates being released on the IVANKO BARBELL COMPANY stand and it was also good to see my friends from CONCEPT 2.  A photo of 2 Concept 2 rowers even graced the cover of this years FIBO programme.

Next stop is Bremen when I visit with 1971 Junior Mr. Germany Wilfried Dubbels.  It is 30 years this year since I first filmed him in Hamburg in Jenner Park.