July 17, 2002

Troy the Boy at USA?

I ran into Troy Alves at the Arizona Championships on July 13, and the three-time national-level runner-up assured me?and the crowd of about 1,000 fans?that he will indeed finally pick up his pro card at the USA Championships on July 26?27.

Lonnie Teper

Reported July 17, 2002

Troy the Boy at USA?
I ran into Troy Alves at the Arizona Championships on July 13, and the three-time national-level runner-up assured me—and the crowd of about 1,000 fans—that he will indeed finally pick up his pro card at the USA Championships on July 26–27. Alves, the Swami’s pick to move on to the pro ranks at that show, placed second in the Heavyweight class at the past two USAs, and he finished second to Overall champ Victor Martinez at the ’00 Nationals. Other top contenders at the show, to be held at the Artemus W. Ham Concert Hall on the campus of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, include Superheavyweights Mat Duvall, Idrise Ward-El and Marcus Haley and Light Heavyweight standout Robert Lopez.

Word also has it that three-time Team Universe Middleweight champion Tito Raymond, third at the USA last season, is in spectacular shape and, along with last year’s fourth-placer, Stan McQuay, could be a strong contender for a win in that class. That would enable Tito to join his brother Jose as an IFBB pro. Jose, known mostly as Tito’s little brother throughout his bodybuilding career, changed all that in 2001, when he earned his pro card by winning the Lightweight class at the Nationals.

For tickets contact Lindsay Productions online at www.musclecontest.com or call toll-free to 866-370-3011.

Teper’s Tales
Arnold Schwarzenegger made it into the pages of People magazine two weeks back to back. In the July 8 issue the Big Fella was shown in cap and gown receiving an honorary doctorate of human letters from Chapman University in Orange, California. On July 16, People reported that Arnold, speaking to a group of about 15 Republican governors at a National Governor’s Association conference, said he’s interested in running for governor of California in 2006.… The Arnold Classic, originally set to be broadcast on July 9, will now be seen on Saturday, August 10, according to Richard Enlow, CEO of PhysicalTV, which filmed the spectacle. The contest, which features a great battle between eventual champion Jay Cutler and runner-up Chris Cormier, will be shown on the TNN cable network at 4 p.m. Eastern and Pacific time and at 3 p.m. Central and Mountain time. The Fitness International is set for an August 24 broadcast, and the ASC Strongman competition will air on August 31, both at the above show times. Cutler is sticking to his previous statements that he will pass on the ’02 Olympia and concentrate on the ’03 Arnold Classic.… Debi Massey, who earned pro fitness status in 1998 but never competed, tied the knot with former bodybuilder Warren Solazzo in Scottsdale, Arizona, on July 4.

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