Freeman Top Dog at ’02 Nationals

Dunlap, Uzzle Win Women’s Bodybuilding, Fitness Titles

American Media, Evercore to Buy Weider Publications

Reported November 25, 2002

Freeman Top Dog at ’02 Nationals

Dunlap, Uzzle Win Women’s Bodybuilding, Fitness Titles
DALLAS: Toney Freeman, a former high level competitor who had been out of action for several years before his eighth place finish at the 2001 NPC Nationals, returned full circle on Saturday, November 23, when he won both the Super-Heavyweight class and the Overall at the ’02 Nationals, held at the Dallas Convention Center.

Freeman, a 6’2, 250-pounder out of Alpharetta, Georgia, has placed as high as fourth in this event in recent years, but dropped out of sight after not finishing in the top 15 at the ’96 contest, also held in Dallas.

After besting crowd favorite Dave Palumbo in the SH division, Freeman out pointed fellow class winners Joe Ntiforo (Heavyweight), Mike Valentino (Light-Heavyweight), David Henry (Middleweight), Derik Farnsworth (Lightweight) and Clifton Torres (Bantamweight) to complete his surprising comeback endeavor. All class winners are eligible to apply for pro status in the IFBB.

In the women’s bodybuilding competition, 22-year-old phenom Sarah Dunlap fulfilled an amazing year by taking the Heavyweight and Overall titles. The 143-pounder from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania started the season with the Overall crown at the Pittsburgh Championships in May, and followed that up with an Overall title at the Junior Nationals in June before making it three for three in Texas. Dunlap bested Middleweight winner Jeannie Paparone and Lightweight champion Susan Fancini for the Overall victory. All three women will move on to the pro ranks with their division victories.

Lisa Uzzle, a 5’2 1/2″ 39-year-old grandmother from Oklahoma City, won both her class and the Fitness Overall. She was first in the fitness round and first in the one-piece swimsuit and was third in the two-piece swimsuit round. Stacy Wig won the Short class and Bridgette Newell won the Tall class. Elizabeth Maurice and runner-ups Liane Seiwald (Short) and Trish Mayberry (Medium) also moved on to the pro ranks with the top two placings. For a more detailed report on the Nationals, be sure to read the March, 03 issue of IRONMAN.

’02 Men’s Nationals

Overall: Toney Freeman

Super-Heavyweights
1) Toney Freeman
2) David Palumbo
3) Mat Duvall
4) Eddie Moyzan
5) Allen Fortney

Heavyweights
1) Joe Ntiforo
2) David Watson
3) Thomas Rieke
4) Franklin Roberson
5) Sebastian Zona

Light-Heavyweights
1) Michael Valentino
2) Kris Dim
3) Prince Fontenot
4) Rashid Shabazz
5) Eddie Linda

Middleweights
1) David Henry
2) Tricky Jackson
3) Robert Kreider
4) Kevin Bunn
5) Robert M. Evans

Lightweights
1) Derik Farnsworth
2) Chick Elazor
3) Al Ferraro
4) Roland Aki
5) Johnny Traynor

Bantamweights
1) Clifton Torres
2) Johnny McKnight
3) Randy Jackson
4) Eric Yamashita
5) Michael Wick

’02 Women’s Nationals

Overall: Sarah Dunlap

Heavyweights
1) Sarah Dunlap
2) Alley Miesch-Nie
3) Sherry Smith
4) Tatianna Butler
5) Heather Policky

Middleweights
1) Jeannier Paparone
2) Cynthia Gonzales
3) Lisa Winston
4) Elena Seiple-Perticari
5) Anita Nikolich

Lightweights
1) Susan Fancini
2) Dawn Riehl
3) Pam Kusar
4) Michelle Davis
5) Shannon Rabon

’02 Women’s Fitness Nationals

Overall: Lisa Uzzle

Short Class (up to 5’2")
1) Stacy Wig
2) Liane Seiwald

Medium Class (Between 5’2"-5’4")
1) Lisa Uzzle
2) Trish Mayberry

Tall Class (Over 5’4")
1) Bridgete Newell
2) Elizabeth Maurice

Teper’s Tales
Orville Burke, the New York bodybuilding star who finished ninth at the recent Mr. Olympia, is improving health after lapsing into a coma during surgery on November 5 to repair a torn triceps injury, according to a couple of East Coast sources. Burke, 39, who agitated the injury while warming up for a photo shoot in California after the `Olympia, was placed on a life support system after suffering a seizure during the procedure. Although Burke is still in serious condition, he has been taken off life support and will hopefully recover from the tragic incident…cable channel Cinemax, which celebrated the 25th anniversary of the epic bodybuilding film Pumping Iron with its November 15th airing, is repeating the viewing throughout the month. A premier was held on November 12 at Loews Tower East in New York, with the film’s star of stars, Arnold Schwarzenegger, joining Lou Ferrigno, Franco Columbu, Mike Katz and Ed Corney on the evening. Also present were five-time Mr. Olympia winner Ronnie Coleman and Gunter Schlierkamp, who upset Coleman at the GNC Show of Strength on November 9. The two gave an impromptu pose-down to the delight of those in attendance…the rumors spread on the web on the alleged auto accident demise of Texas pro bodybuilder John Sherman proved to be, fortunately, a bunch of malarkey. Who comes up with this stuff, anyway?…

American Media, Evercore to Buy Weider Publications

American Media Inc. and Evercore Partners confirmed they will acquire Weider Publications Inc. for $350 million, according to a story published by Dow Jones Newswires on Wednesday, November 27.

Investment company Evercore, which owns American Media, had been pursuing the acquisition since September, and the Wall Street Journal reported on Monday, November 25, that American Media and parent company, Evercore, emerged as the top bidders in a heated auction for Weider. According to the article, final bids were due Friday, and at least six bidders made offers. American Media and Evercore’s offer of more than $335 million was by far the highest, with other offers close to $300 million.

The acquisition, subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approval, is expected to close in the first quarter.

Privately-held American Media, which owns The National Enquirer and The Star, will be acquiring Weider Publications’ seven magazines, including Muscle & Fitness, Muscle & Fitness Hers, Flex and Men’s Fitness.