NEXT RELEASE will be the 2 tapes from the recent IFBB AUSTRALIAN GP held in Melbourne on March 17th. The editing is nicely underway and the contest tape is due for release in early May on Sean's return from FIBO.   

My report is as follows:

 The John Batman Theatre was the magnificent venue for this ground breaking event presented by Tony DOHERTY. It was the first pro show in Australia for about 14 years and it was with out doubt the most enjoyable pro show we have attended in years. Tony set a standard against which all other shows in Australia will be judged. I look forward to this becoming an annual event.

We had our 2 cameras there to record everything so watch for both a pump room tape and also the contest tape with prejudging highlights and the complete posing routines of all 14 competitors.

Look for the fantastic photos shot by Tina Gallasch from the centre front row!

 Some highlights included the Melvin Anthony posing routine which was as good as I have ever seen. As Melvin said, "I can really git 'em when they don't cut my music"!

Oleg Zhur also put on a stunning routine as he did at the Arnold. He is a small bundle of dynamite.

New guy Jaroslav Horvath from Slovakia with the Hungarian sounding name was a complete surprise package and stole 5th place away from Zhur pushing him into 6th place. These 2 guys had the best abs in the competition. Double 6 packs!

Christian Lobarede of Chile, although placing 11th, gave a superb display of showmanship going down into the audience during his posing routine! The women couldn't keep their hands off him.

A special award was presented by Aussie IFBB boss Paul Graham to the top placing Aussie, 24 year old Luke WOOD. Luke placed 10th with a ripped physique which shows incredible potential for the future. He was the youngest guy in the show and one of 4 Aussies making his pro debut.

Christine Envall receiving her pro card from Carole Graham for her fantastic achievements world wide. She also won the Amateur Women's Contest that night. She will create some very big ripples in the women's pro ranks starting out at the Jan Tana this year.

 Now to the top guys.

Chris CORMIER was his usual brilliant self and just as good as when he won his 3rd IronMan back on February 17th, one month previous. This was also victory #3 for the season for Chris. He had the best back and lat spread and it is second to none. His cuts in his thighs are so deep that his finger got lost as he ran it up the grooves in his trademark thigh pose. Chris really hits his poses to the beat of the music and gave the appreciative audience a great display. He even made a very polished victory speech.

Without doubt he is the #2 in the world and heir apparent for Ronnie's Olympia crown. Will it be this year? Time will tell.

 Second was Dennis JAMES, and he appeared to be even bigger than he was in Columbus. He also won the Hungarian GP the week before. He has a huge amount of beef packed onto his frame and I would guess he weighed close to 250 pounds (about 110Kg). He has a very charismatic and confident posing style which excites the crowd, with lots of variety thrown in. On the down side with these great bodyweights, a bit of belly bloat was evident as it was with some of the other pros at this contest and also most pro contests these days.

 Third was Dexter "Blade" Jackson, the quiet achiever. Early in the prejudging he didn't seem to stand out, but at the end he had achieved a very clear 3rd place. His strengths are symmetry and a great degree of condition and separation. He is hard to fault.

 4th went to J.D.  Dawodu known sometimes as "The Freak" due to his incredible arms. Lonnie Teper calls him "do wa diddy" but J.D. was deadly serious on this occasion as he chased and received his placing which gave him an invite to this year's Olympia. His arms are like those of Albert Beckles of a few years ago, only better. His bicep peak rolls up into a perfect little ball and his poses are all based around arms and most muscular shots which sends the crowd wild. With a bit more on legs and tighter abs he could place top 6 at this his first Olympia.

 5th was Jaroslav Horvath, a short, blond but very neat package from Slovakia and a man to watch in the future. A good poser he had a friend in the audience calling out instructions to him in Slovakian, it was quite different as you don't see that much these days. I believe this was one of his very first pro shows.