What a relief to do a major event on our home territory with all of our equipment taken from the back of our vehicle without the weight constraints of doing an event overseas, working out of our suit cases AND being hassled endlessly by airport security. The Aussie GP is promoted each year by Melbourne's master promoter Tony Doherty, and what a wonderful job he does promoting the sport and bringing as many as possible of the world's top pros to Australia. This years event was held 2 weeks after the San Francisco GP and next year it will be even better for the athletes being held 1 week after the SF GP.

Sean got things started by taping the public weigh-in at a sponsor's shop in the centre of Melbourne and a good crowd gathered to see the biggest bodies in the world. Next I taped the athletes' meeting which included a very jet lagged Wayne DeMilia making his first visit back down under for around 15 years. Wayne started the GP pro show circuit around 25 years ago when there was only the Mr Olympia each year.

Next day it was the prejudging pump room in the superb John Batman Theatre complex with plenty of room for the bodybuilders and our cameras too. This is not always the case. It was soon evident that the main competition was between CHRIS CORMIER and DEXTER JACKSON with the super Slovak JAROSLAV HORVATH snapping at Dexter's heels. Jaroslav was a sensation at this GP which was the first time he has moved up so high in a pro show. It was good to see him back in Australia again and even better to see him take 3rd place and a well deserved qualification for this year's Mr Olympia. I like to see new faces at the Olympia and Jaroslav has the symmetry and superb abs to make a very good impression. Watch for a feature on him after the Olympia.

Chris Cormier is such a class act, and how he had maintained his condition for the weeks since the IM was a real credit to him. He was a most worthy repeat winner with the superb Dexter runner up to him. These 2 had a number of callouts and comparisons giving Tina plenty of opportunity to get some wonderful photos.

The next mini battle was between JEFF "BOX" LONG and KEVIN LEVRONE with them finishing 4th& 5th respectively. Box was right on I thought and close to as good as I had ever seen him. He was hard and cut and very determined and forceful in his presentation. He badly wanted that 3rd spot and Olympia qualification. I am sure he was most disappointed.

Kevin was still a little off from his usual size and condition but he gave it his all and posed superbly yet again. His posing and choice of music can make the hairs rise on the back on one's neck! Kevin was extremely disappointed with his placing but it was a correct decision on the package he presented on the day, and in fact the judging was absolutely correct in every position.

6th went to GARRETT DOWNING who has struggled a bit this contest season, first with severe flu and then not being able to really bring out his separation. He had an excellent routine and will bounce back next time as he seemed very flat these last few weeks.

7th was Australia's top pro bodybuilder LUKE WOOD from Sydney. Luke was a trifle unlucky not to make 6th place as he was more cut than Garrett but Garrett had a better chest and probably slightly better symmetry. But it was very close. Luke is only 25 and was the youngest in the contest by far and will achieve great things in the near future. He is totally dedicated as we discovered when we shot a gym workout with him the day after the contest. Watch for him in the Olympia in about 2 years time.

Luke was especially pleased to beat 2 well credentialed pros from USA in QUINCY TAYLOR and STAN McCRARY who brought up the rear of the field.

Dennis James made a special guest appearance flying down from Thailand just to be at the show and to meet all his fans. The only small downside for us from a video point of view was the posedown. All the guys immediately left the stage and went down into the audience to continue posing . They soon disappeared from our view as all the audience stood up and that was the end of that.

The Expo was a great success and the pros were busy selling their photos, clothing and videos etc. We at GMV congratulate Tony once again on putting on a super event and the BBQ at his gym on the Sunday morning was the icing on the cake.

Our contest video has now been released, see GMV-470  .... and the separate Pump Room video will be released this week, see GMV-471, 2002 Australian Grand Prix Pump Room & Behind the Scenes, 60 mins $39.00. It is a superb PR video shot with our 2 cameras under fantastic lighting conditions. It is not to be missed!    For a complete set of results see our RESULTS SECTION.