Isaac Hinds is looking good. Thanks to Toney Freeman, that is. The Lifter has been tortured for nearly a year now–by me–after picking Freeman to finish third in the 2007 Olympia. The X-Man, as you all know, not only landed all the way down in 14th, but opened up this season with disappointing eighth and seventh place finishes at the IRON MAN and the Arnold Classic, respectively.
But, both Hinds and Freeman are smiling again. Especially Toney, who made it back to back wins after a convincing victory at the Europa in Dallas on Saturday, following his triumph a week earlier at the Tampa Pro. And, I might add, a win that puts him back into top 6 Olympia contention–not to mention the 30 grand he put in his pocket for winning top honors.
Once again Freeman bested a disappointed Dennis James, who finished second. From the pictures I saw on the web, I thought Will Harris would get third–and an Olympia qualifying berth in the process. But, Canada’s Fouad Abiad slipped past Harris and earned that honor. So, I guess it’s on to Atlantic City for Harris two weeks before the Olympia in a final attempt to qualify. With Freeman and Melvin Anthony on schedule to compete in New Jersey, that ain’t gonna be an easy task.
Harris and Tarek Elsetouchi rounded out the top top. James (Flex) Lewis, who earlier scored a win in the 202 and under class (David Henry was celebrating his wedding anniversary and passed on the show), finished in a tie with Johnnie Jackson for seventh in the main event.
On the subject of the Olympia, the Big Dance lost another top flight competitor when Branch Warren tore his left triceps in an accident at home (he fell down a flight of stairs). Warren, who tore his right triceps a few years back, underwent surgery to repair the injury and says he’ll be back in time for next year’s Arnold. Here’s wishing a speedy recovery, big guy.
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