Lorenzo, Frank and Tad
Congrats to Lorenzo Jones for yet another victory on stage this year; this time it was the Jr. USA Overall, held over the weekend in front of his Texas hometown fans. That followed, of course, the triumph in the Light Heavyweight class at the Masters Nationals in Pittsburgh in July. And I don’t know how many others wins Jones racked up this year, last year, or the year before.
What I do know is I announced his name a few times as the champ when I used to emcee shows in Texas over the past several seasons. I’d say Lo might have the most NPC wins of all time, actually. If you’re reading this Mr. Jones, give me the stats. Now, that could be conceived as either good or bad…you know, the guy’s just a trophy hunter, etc. Now Lorenzo has a chance to finally move up to the next level.
In my previous blog, I listed some title contenders for this weekend’s North American Championships in Cleveland, Ohio; let’s add Jones to the list. And Frank Stinson, too. According to Danny Seibert, my 2009 Overall winner at the Junior Cal, I failed to mention his coach, Tad Inoue, in the mix. So, now I am.
As you know by now as a reader of this space, Stinson won the Heavyweight and Overall at the New Jersey State Championships recently; at 5’6″ and 225 pounds, this is one thick dude who should make a strong showing in Cleveland. And Inoue, the man with the (spray) tan (as in official spray tan sponsor of the West Coast Classic, that is), looked his all-time best in placing third in the HW class at the Masters Nationals.
So, there you go. Three more names who can make some noise at the show.
Let’s get ready to rumble.
Tight Fight at the North American
With two pro cards now being given out at next weekend’s North American Championships, even more eyes will be focused on the annual Gary Udit promoted event in Cleveland, Ohio. One of the dudes who barely missed out on nabbing that pro card last year, Abbas Khatami, will be back again after winning his class on two different occasions–including the Superheavyweight title in 2009. The pics shown here were taken at the Pacific USA Naturals two weeks ago in Culver City, when the emcee of the contest goaded Abbas into taking off the shirt and giving the fans a look of things to come. Who was that guy, anyway? Abbas said on stage the show will finally be his.
But, does Khatami enter as the clear cut favorite? I’d say co-fave, at best. Keith Williams, coming off back to back runner-up finishes at the USA, returns to Ohio after placing one spot behind Khatami last season. And then there’s Brian Yersky, who climbed to an all-time high third place, right behind Jason Huh and Williams, respectively, in the SHW at the USA.
“I feel the USA’s was a great success,” says Yersky, who sent me these photos a week ago, at a bodyweight of 244. “Granted, we went out to win the show, but the during entire prep my wife, Jordan, and I felt that a top three finish would be a goal to strive for–and we succeeded. I was pleased with my conditioning, but felt I flattened out too much. I”m a Northeast Ohio boy who is used to humidity beyond belief, so with that dry Vegas air I probably could have kept a little more water in my diet.
“I weighed in at 239 on Thursday, and was probably right around that at the prejudging. At the finals I was around 245. The North American is practically a home town show for me; no traveling and it’s in a climate I’m used to. For the show, I’m not going in with a top three goal, but we are going in with the mindset of winning the whole thing. I’m looking forward to standing next to Williams and Khatami, and battling it out for that top spot.”
Perhaps we should include Todd Jewell’s name with the above-mentioned physique stars; Jewell is the biggest of the bunch, and if Todd can show up in prime time condition, he MIGHT have a shot at the crown. Let’s call him the dark horse. Okay, a real dark horse. But, Todd’s got the bod to do it.
In any case, the Swami sez one of the pro cards will go to the winner of this class. And I can’t see anybody beating Lee (Take it to the) Banks, either in the Heavyweight division, or for that second IFBB card. Lee’s been soooo close too many times to mention at pro qualifying shows, so I’m sure the Florida-based Banks doesn’t have to be told, as Elvis once sang, “It’s Now or Never.” Hey, ain’t that clever?
I’m out.
A Diamond in New Jersey
When I took to the podium at the New Jersey State Championships on Saturday night, it marked my first appearance emceeing a contest in the Garden state since 1999. That’s when Bob Bonham and the late Kenny Kassel hired me to host the Ms. Olympia.
I made my initial debut way, way back in 1991 at the Rich Gaspari Classic, which Bonham and Mike Gulla produced. This time around the names and places had changed. Dwayne McDaniel, a former NPC standout who bought the infamous Diamond Gym in Maplewood three years ago from John Kemper (who owned the facility for over 30 years), put on the show. It was held in the sublime Wilkins Theater, located on the campus of Kean College in Union.
As expected, the contest put out a slew of outstanding physiques: congrats to Overall winners Fred Stinson (Men’s Bodybuilding) and Melissa Bailey (Women’s Bodybuilding and first place, C division, Figure), Carey Cunliffe (Figure), Lori Singer (Fitness) and Rachel Lagomarsino (Bikini). Kudos also go out to Marlon Ballesteros, Masters 35+ Overall champ and the winner of the “Most Muscular Freak” award, Danny Lenzo, the Police/Fire division titlist and Teen winner Michael Wilches. Look for several of these outstanding performers to be on stage at the upcoming North American in less than two weeks/
Big Mac, aka Nationals champion Cedric McMillan, led the list of four guest posers. In addition to McMillan displaying his 6’1 ½”, 265-pound bod, Vinny Galanti, Guy Cisterino and Jeff Long also performed.
Got to see a lot of familiar faces I had lost contact with over the years, which always makes these long trips worthwhile. Bonham picked me up at the airport and, after some driving antics that caused me to lose the last three strands of hair on my noggin, he was able to get me to the hotel. Then we went to a coffee shop, right out of “The Last Picture Show”. All we needed was to have Cybil Shepherd show up.
Chatted with Bill Grant a bit at the prejudging as well, and after the contest concluded was surprised to see Dana Capobianco, a longtime NPC competitor. I first met Dana at the ’91 event, when she was an excited 19-year-old just entering the sport.
On Sunday McDaniel picked me up and took me back in time as I took an updated tour of Diamond Gym, which also opened up memory lane. At the front desk was his hard-working manager, Monika Habura. Big Mac was there; so were Stinson, Bailey and Ballesteros. Those three were doing shoots with Brian Moss, the former owner of Better Bodies in New York who has turned into a terrific lensman over the past few years. Moss was relieved when I told him I wasn’t going to be one of his subjects that day.
Even though I announced McMillan as the Overall champ at last season’s Nationals in Hollywood, Florida, I never really had a chance to talk with Ced much. Got to know him a little better in my time at the gym, and during the drive back to the airport. Yes, I picked him to win the Europa, Dallas and he finished a controversial seventh. No matter; I think this cat has the tools to be a top Olympia contender…and in the near future, not down the road several years. Mark it down.
Anyway, good job to all those involved with putting on the show. The Swami sez it will only get bigger, and better, in the years to come.
I’m out.
Jersey Shore Audition; Mandy Tanny, R.I.P.
For the first time in several years, will be heading to the Big Apple this weekend. Or at least close to it. Have an audition on the reality smash, “Jersey Shore” as “The Situation’s” uncle Lenny. I was guaranteed by the producers of the show I would NOT have to show my abs at any point during the try-out. Not ever being arrested will probably hurt my chances, but it’s worth a shot none the less. Can’t wait to show Snooki my dance moves. Just hope someone doesn’t belt her at the bar if we get a chance to party a bit.
Okay, am sure you know I’m joshin’, but I AM taking the big bird from LAX to Newark, New Jersey on Friday. Dwayne McDaniel, who purchased the legendary Diamond Gym in Maplewood from John Kemper a while back, hired me to emcee his inagural production of the New Jersey State Championships.
Although I’m not scheduled to arrive in Newark until around 8:30 pm Friday, hopefully I’ll get a chance to get into New York city for at least a couple of hours. Haven’t been there since 2003 or 2004, if my memory serves me well. Which is a big “if.”
The contest is being held at the Wilkins Theater on the campus of Kean University in Union. Hope to see a lot of fans show up to support the contest. The featured guest poser is Cedric McMillan (others guest performers are Vince Galanti, Drew Jemmott and Guy Cisterino), the cat I picked to win the Europa Super Show in Dallas last weekend. As we all know by now, Big Mac was relegated to a fourth place finish. I wasn’t there, but from the pictures I saw on line, Ced was not conditioned enough, but still should have landed a top three slot. Now, the guy I picked seventh in the upcoming Mr. Olympia (see “Experts” video at the site soon) doesn’t even qualify. Will have to give him the Swami pep talk to ensure a tremendous comeback in 2011.
Sadly, have to conclude this blog on a unfortunate note. Mandy Tanny, daughter of the late Armand Tanny, died last Saturday morning at a Southern California hospital after losing her five-year battle with breast cancer. She was 60. I met Mandy on a couple of occasions, and thought she was a class act. Just like her Dad.
Mandy was a huge pioneer in the women’s fitness movement, managing several Holiday Health Spas while promoting women’s bodybuilding and lecturing on exercise and nutrition. Mandy also was a writer for Muscle & Fitness for nearly 10 years before penning two health food cook books.
She married George Naum and together, developed their own chain of gyms called “Tanny’s Personal Fitness” between 1990 and 2003. She is survived by George, son Mario and beloved pooch, Nutmeg.
Condolances to the Tanny family and friends.