UkrainianGuy
18-05-2009, 01:08 AM
2009 New York Pro OPEN & 202lbs Summary
By
Shawn Ray
The last man standing on stage Saturday, May 16th was Rookie Pro winning his first Pro Contest, Evan Centaponi!
I sat with fellow Hall of Fame retired Pro Bodybuilders 6 Time Mr. Olympia Dorian Yates and 4 Time Arnold Classic Champion, Flex Wheeler whom both agreed along with me and the finally tally from the IFBB Judges, that Evan was the clear cut choice in winning this contest unquestionably. While Evan didn’t win with “Perfect” Scores, he did garner the Unanimous Vote Total in each of the 4 Rounds making the decision indisputable!
While fellow IFBB Pro veterans, Dennis James and Markus Ruhl gained Mr. Olympia qualifications here with Evan respectably finishing in 3rd and 4th place, Silvio Samuel landed in 4th and Hidetada Yamagishi rounded out the top five and were both previously qualified for the Olympia.
Evan had just the right amount of everything sans “Muscle Maturity” which comes with age but the foundation, structure, conditioning and structure were all there in SPADES landing him in the winners circle. Wide across the shoulders, Calves perfectly sculpted, Arms were big with Legs, Chest and Abs to set things off! The coloring was spot on for Evan as well, he simply had what the others didn’t and wasn’t missing what the others were.
Dennis James arguably could have changed places with Markus, as we’ve seen him harder and more separated but he got the nod here and the crowd didn’t seem to object to his Third 2nd Place Finish in less than a year dating back to 2008. Dennis simply needs to drop some body weight and start working on “refinement” etching in cuts where they are desperately needed (Back, Hams, Glutes) most notably. In the end, it was his Mass that helped him secure 2nd place but with detail he could have had 1st!
Markus Ruhl returned to NYC and didn’t disappoint either! He brought some Mass the sport hasn’t seen since his 2 year hiatus in retirement. Markus 10 or 14lbs lighter would not be the Markus we’ve become accustomed to seeing but he will need to drop some Mass in order to “Shred and Rip” up that beef in order to battle the smaller more detailed guys including Evan. Granted Markus was not a sliced as he could have been but based on pure Size, I actually had an argument to place him ahead of Dennis.
If the truth be told, my liking would have seen Hidetada Yamagishi in 3rd with Silvio in 5th place. Hidetada never looked more competitive and polished for a show than this one. I thought he had the right “Comparison” Call Outs to be up there but in the end, “SIZE” won over the “Complete” package.
Silvio dropped off a bit from the fabulous form we have become accustomed to seeing him in. While not too far off the mark, he was far enough off that other guys who should not beat him when he is “ON” did! The trademark Muscle Fullness was there but the unwanted “Film of water” was there too, effectively taking away some of his strength’s in the “Detail” department he has become known for. Hams, Glutes were especially holding water and when he posed he began to lose a large amount of water perspiring under the hot stage lights!
New York Pro 202lbs & Under Summation
Kevin English for the 2nd year in a row walked off the stage $5,000 richer than his colleagues largely due to the fact that he didn’t leave anything to chance regarding doing what he said he was going to do, “Peak” on time! While Kevin may not have that “Pleasing” aesthetic look and appeal of a David Henry, he makes up for it with the Freaky Size and Vascularity of his musculature. Kevin was thick and dense which the Judges could hardly ignore. While he might not have been the “Driest” guy in the 202 division, know one could argue the Density and width of his frame! Arguably Kevin could have been a little of this or a little of that but the “Sum” total of what he presented outshined the other guys onstage.
Mark Dugdale was the surprise 1st Runner up of the evening, he truly has a pleasing physique to look at onstage performing in great condition. However, beating David Henry from where I sat along with Flex and Dorian was more of an Impossibility than a Probability. Mark nailed his conditioning and coloring to be sure, however, from the rear his back lacked the detail and the depth of both Kevin and David. Shapley body with highly defined quads and calves worked to his advantage, as David Henry arrived a bit overweight for the Weigh In’s and it cost him dearly onstage at prejudging.
David Henry received what maybe perceived as the “Shaft” of the night when he was announced in 3rd place, The Crowd “Booed” with disapproval. The added weight David packed on seemed to go straight to his Chest, Shoulders & Arms complimenting his already dense and thick Back! The residual affect of the extra weight accumulated around his Hams and Glutes, where Mark was strong. I saw this as a “Trade off” of sorts. Dave had the Back, Mark had the Hams & Glutes but when they turned around to the front, David Henry is arguably the Best 202lbs Bodybuilder in the World! He appeared to have everything going on from the front poses, Abs were peeled, Chest sliced, Arms and Traps were ridiculous!
In the end, what mattered was what the Judges thought and their summation was that while David added the extra size, he miss timed his Peak and Dugdale Peaked perfectly enabling him to Highlight his Strengths and thereby expose David’s weaknesses.
Overall, it was Kevin English who had the right amount of everything!
Congratulations to all the Finalists and the Winners!
Nice job Evan & Kevin!
Promoter Steve Weinberger, great job at moving the Finals along in such a timely fashion with the help of MC Extraordinaire, Bob Chick rockin the Mic!
S RAY
By
Shawn Ray
The last man standing on stage Saturday, May 16th was Rookie Pro winning his first Pro Contest, Evan Centaponi!
I sat with fellow Hall of Fame retired Pro Bodybuilders 6 Time Mr. Olympia Dorian Yates and 4 Time Arnold Classic Champion, Flex Wheeler whom both agreed along with me and the finally tally from the IFBB Judges, that Evan was the clear cut choice in winning this contest unquestionably. While Evan didn’t win with “Perfect” Scores, he did garner the Unanimous Vote Total in each of the 4 Rounds making the decision indisputable!
While fellow IFBB Pro veterans, Dennis James and Markus Ruhl gained Mr. Olympia qualifications here with Evan respectably finishing in 3rd and 4th place, Silvio Samuel landed in 4th and Hidetada Yamagishi rounded out the top five and were both previously qualified for the Olympia.
Evan had just the right amount of everything sans “Muscle Maturity” which comes with age but the foundation, structure, conditioning and structure were all there in SPADES landing him in the winners circle. Wide across the shoulders, Calves perfectly sculpted, Arms were big with Legs, Chest and Abs to set things off! The coloring was spot on for Evan as well, he simply had what the others didn’t and wasn’t missing what the others were.
Dennis James arguably could have changed places with Markus, as we’ve seen him harder and more separated but he got the nod here and the crowd didn’t seem to object to his Third 2nd Place Finish in less than a year dating back to 2008. Dennis simply needs to drop some body weight and start working on “refinement” etching in cuts where they are desperately needed (Back, Hams, Glutes) most notably. In the end, it was his Mass that helped him secure 2nd place but with detail he could have had 1st!
Markus Ruhl returned to NYC and didn’t disappoint either! He brought some Mass the sport hasn’t seen since his 2 year hiatus in retirement. Markus 10 or 14lbs lighter would not be the Markus we’ve become accustomed to seeing but he will need to drop some Mass in order to “Shred and Rip” up that beef in order to battle the smaller more detailed guys including Evan. Granted Markus was not a sliced as he could have been but based on pure Size, I actually had an argument to place him ahead of Dennis.
If the truth be told, my liking would have seen Hidetada Yamagishi in 3rd with Silvio in 5th place. Hidetada never looked more competitive and polished for a show than this one. I thought he had the right “Comparison” Call Outs to be up there but in the end, “SIZE” won over the “Complete” package.
Silvio dropped off a bit from the fabulous form we have become accustomed to seeing him in. While not too far off the mark, he was far enough off that other guys who should not beat him when he is “ON” did! The trademark Muscle Fullness was there but the unwanted “Film of water” was there too, effectively taking away some of his strength’s in the “Detail” department he has become known for. Hams, Glutes were especially holding water and when he posed he began to lose a large amount of water perspiring under the hot stage lights!
New York Pro 202lbs & Under Summation
Kevin English for the 2nd year in a row walked off the stage $5,000 richer than his colleagues largely due to the fact that he didn’t leave anything to chance regarding doing what he said he was going to do, “Peak” on time! While Kevin may not have that “Pleasing” aesthetic look and appeal of a David Henry, he makes up for it with the Freaky Size and Vascularity of his musculature. Kevin was thick and dense which the Judges could hardly ignore. While he might not have been the “Driest” guy in the 202 division, know one could argue the Density and width of his frame! Arguably Kevin could have been a little of this or a little of that but the “Sum” total of what he presented outshined the other guys onstage.
Mark Dugdale was the surprise 1st Runner up of the evening, he truly has a pleasing physique to look at onstage performing in great condition. However, beating David Henry from where I sat along with Flex and Dorian was more of an Impossibility than a Probability. Mark nailed his conditioning and coloring to be sure, however, from the rear his back lacked the detail and the depth of both Kevin and David. Shapley body with highly defined quads and calves worked to his advantage, as David Henry arrived a bit overweight for the Weigh In’s and it cost him dearly onstage at prejudging.
David Henry received what maybe perceived as the “Shaft” of the night when he was announced in 3rd place, The Crowd “Booed” with disapproval. The added weight David packed on seemed to go straight to his Chest, Shoulders & Arms complimenting his already dense and thick Back! The residual affect of the extra weight accumulated around his Hams and Glutes, where Mark was strong. I saw this as a “Trade off” of sorts. Dave had the Back, Mark had the Hams & Glutes but when they turned around to the front, David Henry is arguably the Best 202lbs Bodybuilder in the World! He appeared to have everything going on from the front poses, Abs were peeled, Chest sliced, Arms and Traps were ridiculous!
In the end, what mattered was what the Judges thought and their summation was that while David added the extra size, he miss timed his Peak and Dugdale Peaked perfectly enabling him to Highlight his Strengths and thereby expose David’s weaknesses.
Overall, it was Kevin English who had the right amount of everything!
Congratulations to all the Finalists and the Winners!
Nice job Evan & Kevin!
Promoter Steve Weinberger, great job at moving the Finals along in such a timely fashion with the help of MC Extraordinaire, Bob Chick rockin the Mic!
S RAY