This year Giorgio moved the San Francisco Grand Prix to a new location in Alameda, just outside Oakland.  We loved both the venue and Oakland where we stayed and hope it will be there again next year.  The theatre has a complete school gym rear of stage, being the best pump room I have ever seen at a pro G.P.

Once again it was the Dexter versus Lee Battle all over again.  If anything Dexter was even more confident than he was at the Iron Man after his strong 3^rd placing at the Arnold Classic.  Many good judges actually felt that Dexter deserved to win the Arnold.

It was still very close between Lee and Dexter with new boy Kris Dim breathing down their necks.  While shooting in the evening pump room, I asked Dim if he would take off his top to show more of his physique to his fans and the VIP ticket holders viewing the pump room.  Apart from a 20 second flash to tense his abs he sadly declined to show his assets till he hit the stage.

So it was again Dexter in first place with Lee taking a brilliant 2^nd with his trademark Sergio “Myth” pose, with both arms straight up above his head.  No surprise with Lee looking rather resigned to his placing when it got down to the final two.

Kris Dim is a Cambodian American and one of the few Asian’s to qualify for the Olympia.  To be honest I can’t recall the last Asian competitor in the Olympia.  This was Dim’s first ever-pro show, and to qualify for the Olympia from your debut pro even has rarely been done.  I believe Lee Haney achieved this feat and several others have done it since.  Please email me with the names of other pros that have made it straight to the Olympia from their first Pro Show!

Watch out for Dim in October as he has the total package great legs, abs, arms and wonderful symmetry.  He could very well make the top 10 and also our Olympia Sunday poolside shoot. 

In 4^th place was Gustavo Badell of Puerto Rico.  Gustaveo had slipped a little in the condition department since his great showing at the Iron Man.  It showed in particular in his side poses, but he was still very good, with just a bit more size than 5^th placegetter Ahmad Haidar. 

Haidar is the unlucky man in pro bodybuilding at the moment.  At the Iron Man he missed out on Olympia qualification by one place and this time he was unlucky not to place 4^th, but would have missed out again.  He has near perfect symmetry, the best abs in the business, a great posing routine and superb condition.  I can only assume the judges are leaning more towards size rather than quality when it comes to outstanding shorter physiques such as Haidar, Horvath and David Henry.

Slipping into 7^th place was Mustafa Mohammad of Jordan / Austria.  Mustafa has a fantastic physique best described as “freaky”.  He is pretty much unknown in USA and this probably bumped him down a place or two.  He qualified for the Olympia with his brilliant 3^rd placing in the Dutch GP last November, so you will see him again in USA in a few months time.

A new guy who did impress me was the huge Paul Baker of Jamaica.  Paul came in 11^th in a starting field of 21 competitors.  He has the size, height and basic symmetry to be a future Ronnie Coleman, so watch for his future progress.

Chris Cormier and Bob Cicherillo both completed the prejudging but due to illness did not make it to the evening finals.  At the evening show Sammir Banout, former 1983 Mr. Olympia made his comeback as a guest poser.  Now pushing towards 50 he looked very good and was greatly appreciated by the packed audience.  Once again it was a memorable San Francisco Grand Prix and we look forward to next year.

For the complete results click here.