Dexter Ties Flexs Record !

ic ss 3 d cla 01ol 2n ar

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letter to readers
There are two times in life: now and too late!

Masthead
President, CEO Tosca Reno Kennedy EVP, Group Publisher Todd Hughes Group Editorial Director Bill Geiger, MA Group Creative Director Michael Touna Group Creative Adviser/ Editor-in-Chief Johnny Fitness Managing Editor Sarah Wells Deputy Editor Dan Felipe Copy Editor Angie Mattison Online Editor Alex Zakrzewski Art Director Derek Hounsell Associate Art Director Darrell Leighton Digital Creative Lead Ryan Keaveney Intermediate Web Designer Cameron Stevens Photographer Gregory James Contributors Mike Jenkins Brandon Curry

Nowhere is this old adage more apparent than in the publishing industry. In our modern digital age, if you dont have the information your readers want when they want it, they will ( justifiably so) go and find it somewhere else. Therefore, in keeping with a 40-year tradition of striving to provide the absolute latest bodybuilding news and information, MuscleMag is proud to present our Arnold Classic 2013 Digital Special Issue. Rest assured, this is not a one-time experiment. Rather its just part of our greater commitment to revamping, reevaluating and reinventing the way we do things so as to better benefit our valued readers. Instead of sitting around complaining about how fickle audiences have become and griping about how things arent like they used to be, weve wholeheartedly committed ourselves to the new way of doing things. To put it plainly, were not only a print magazine anymore; were a complete, total-media bodybuilding resource. So wherever you happen to be reading this, sit back, relax and experience the 2013 Arnold Classic firsthand through our one-of-a-kind photographs and expert reporting and analysis. Or you can wait six to eight weeks and see what our competitors have to say about the show!
Yours, Alex Zakrzewski Online Editor

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06 Dexter Wins Fourth Title! 12 The Blade
Dexter Jackson

16 Mens placing 25 24 Mens placing 613 38 Ms. International 42 Fitness International 46 Figure International 50 Bikini Internatinoal 56 Arnold Mens Amateur 58 Arnold Strongman

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The mind-muscle connection Every two-bit guru tries to sell you on the need to feel the muscle working. But let me tell you, until you experience it yourself, you cant understand. It is spiritual. To go deep within and be so in tune with each synapse firing, each fiber splitting... Feeling and intuition taking physical form. Every transformative rep preconceived, from stretch to contraction. From concept to reality, the mind compels the body to grow anew. This extraordinary union of brain and brawn, free of distraction and diversion, is an intangible quality that sets apart the best. Heres the secret I know That this crystal clarity is always just one tiny, potent, black scoop away. Bang back a shot of Animal Rage and youre switched on, turned up and locked in. The powerful intensity, energy and performance actives coursing through your veins. This is concentration in concentrated form, bringing thought and action together in a glorious moment of unbridled force. This isnt just working out, this is the mind-muscle connection, redefined. This is training on a higher plane. This is Animal Rage.

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conTesT rePorT

Ties record
age 43, there were those who thought Jacksonville, FLs Dexter Jacksons best years were behind him. His contest placings had slipped since his 2008 Mr. Olympia title as other younger bodybuilders seemed to pass him by. But at least on the night of March 2 at the Arnold Classic in Columbus, OH, The Blade proved he still has what it takes to bag a big one. And what a win it was. In his biggest payday ever, Dexter won his fourth Arnold Classic title tying Flex Wheelers record of four ASC wins in taking the 25th anniversary event before a sell-out crowd. The Blade, who last won the event in 2008, recorded a perfect score in claiming the $130,000 firstplace prize by a decisive margin over runner-up Ben Pakulski of Canada. You could call it redemption for a man seemingly long forgotten, who was also coming off last Decembers Masters Olympia title to run his win streak to two. The 56 athlete was competing in a record 14th Arnold Classic, and despite the absence of the sports most elite names Phil Health, Kai Greene, Jay Cutler, Dennis Wolf and Branch Warren, all sitting this one out in favor of Septembers Olympia showdown The Blade looked every bit as conditioned as he did when he was regularly winning the sports biggest contests a decade earlier. Ben is best known for his 22-inch calves, but the Pakmans rapid ascent up the Arnold Classic standings (10th in 2011, fourth last year, second this time around) indicate that Canadas best bodybuilder is a force to be reckoned with. With his superfreaky legs reminiscent of one Tom Platz, Pakman also earned his highest-ever placing in a pro event, taking second and receiving a $70,000 check to go along with the contests Most Muscular Award, which netted him another $10,000. Georgias Toney Freeman is another seasoned pro thats getting better competitions scores with age. Not only did the

Jackson

You could call it redemption for a man seemingly forgotten.

wiTh FourTh asc win

At

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conTesT rePorT

arnold classic resulTs

March 2, 2013 * Columbus, OH 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Dexter Jackson Ben Pakulski* Toney Freeman Johnnie Jackson Hidetada Yamagishi Cedric McMillan Fred Smalls** Ed Nunn Darrem Charles Fouad Abiad Marcus Haley Michael Kefalianos Ronny Rockel USA Canada USA USA Japan USA USA USA USA Canada USA Greese Germany $130,000 $75,000 $50,000 $30,000 $15,000 $10,000

*Winner of Most Muscular Award and $10,000 **Winner of Most Entertaining Poser Award and $10,000

46-year-olds third-place finish tie his highest placing ever at the ASC (Toney also placed third in 2007), it comes on the heels of his runner-up placing to Dexter at the Masters Olympia last December. With more height and size than his competitors hes 62 and competes at 284 pounds the X-Mans star is again on the rise as hes now considered a bona fide threat to challenge in the Olympia. For his efforts, Toney took home a nifty 50 grand. Not to be left out of the 40-something club, Texan Johnnie Jackson raced to his best ASC finish ever, moving up three spots from his 7th place finish in 2011. Considered the worlds strongest bodybuilder, Johnnie overcame a four-point deficit after prejudging to claim the $30,000 fourth-place check. Rounding out the top five was Japans Hidetada Yamagishi. Hide (pronounced Hee-day), hugely popular back home, improved upon his previous best 8th place finish in 2010 ASC. Though he was in fourth after the afternoon judging session, he was knocked down a few places as he wasnt as sharp during the finals. It seems every bodybuilding competition has its share of controversy, and for this event it was when South Carolinas Cedric McMillans name was given sixth. A chorus of boos rained down when his placing was announced. The 2009 NPC Nationals super heavyweight champ may have been overlooked in the afternoon judging round but rebounded nicely at the night session to take the $10,000 prize. Fred Smalls is anything but, and if theres any aspect of the show the bodybuilder from Delaware knows how to do well, its entertain. A crowd favorite, Freds routine was met with roaring approval, making him the obvious choice for the $10,000 award for the evenings Most Entertaining Poser. Freds 7th place finish was also his best ever at a top pro show. The state of Indiana was also represented in the top 10 with 41-year-old Ed Nunn taking eighth. Coming off his fourthplace finish at the 2012 Masters Olympia, a contest some had him pegged to place just second in, the Hoosier has similar Xframed lines that make Toney Freeman so popular. Now living in Florida but originally from Trinidad, Darrem Charles, who placed ninth, has a long and respected 22-year pro career. In his 10 ASC showings, Darrems best finish was 6th, a feat he accomplished in 1998, 2003 and 2005. Though he hasnt competed much in recent years, hes still renowned for his conditioning, classic lines and entertaining posing. Just making the top 10 was Canadas Fouad Abiad, who moved up a placing in each of the two past two years at the ASC. He was followed by Arizonas Marcus Haley (11th), Greeces Michael Kefalianos (12th) and Germanys Ronny Rockel (13th). Last year, MuscleMag publisher Robert Kennedy was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award just a month before his passing. This year, the committee honored Rich Gaspari, who won the inaugural ASC title 25 years ago and is now president of Gaspari Nutrition. In a moving ceremony, Gaspari thanked Arnold, his family and his employees. Bill Geiger, MA

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EARNING YOUR RESPECT

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mens winner

Dexter Jackson

Take
on dexTer
Dexter has always impressed me with his ability to adapt and try new approaches to bodybuilding. His connection with George Farah has had a revitalizing effect on his physique. I respect Dex a lot for his ability to perform at such a high level for so long. He is truly a master of the art of bodybuilding, and I congratulate him on a well-deserved win. Keep laying a template and setting an example, Dex!

Brandons

Pros
Brandons ThoughTs
While I dont believe he was 100%, Dexter was sharper than most of the field. He was obviously on enough to undisputedly take the show. So much muscle on such a shredded, symmetrical frame is very hard to beat, and he definitely stood out when compared to the other bodies in the lineup.

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cons
Brandons ThoughTs
He was too oily in prejudging yet could have used more oil at the finals. All in all, he didnt appear to be quite as full as he was at the Masters Olympia.

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mens FinalisTs 25

Ben Pakulski

Pros
Brandons ThoughTs
Man, Ben is so freaky in his poses. He looked hard and dry with a noticeable improvement in size. You can just tell Bens been working hard. He really gets the crowd going.

cons
Brandons ThoughTs
Ben was not quite as impressive when he wasnt posing, and something was off when he entered the stage. His back also lacked thickness and detail. Not the prettiest physique onstage but impressive nonetheless.

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Pros
Brandons ThoughTs
Toney came in dry, hard and very sharp from front to back. The X-Man was definitely on his game and deserved his placing.

Toney Freeman

cons
Brandons ThoughTs
I thought he could have been fuller. He needs a bit of pop to his muscle. Its seems to me that he is losing leg size, as his wheels are not quite as massive as they used to be.

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Pros
Brandons ThoughTs

Johnnie Jackson

Johnnie is so massive up top! He was in pretty good shape and his muscles looked hard. It was definitely on for Johnnie!

cons
Brandons ThoughTs
Unfortunately, his lower body did not seem improved. His legs were separated, but they lacked the size to match his upper body.

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Pros
Brandons ThoughTs
Hide appeared bigger and fuller at this show than Ive seen in the past. Im very surprised he came into this show looking this good considering his broken wrist. My hat goes off to him as he shows the true samurai spirit!

Hidetada Yamagishi

cons
Brandons ThoughTs
I dont believe bigger is necessarily better for Hides frame. He showed more abdominal distension than Ive seen from him in a while. Maybe he just wasnt controlling it well. His conditioning was sub-par, but this may have had something to do with his injury.

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mens FinalisTs 613

Cedric McMillan

cons
Brandons ThoughTs

Pros
Brandons ThoughTs
Im tired of hearing about this guys potential its just obvious! He was bigger than Ive ever seen him. He had the prettiest physique onstage, he performed with great confidence and he was having fun.

Judges are looking for this guy to nail it. They want to see his physique in all its glory. He just needs some hardness and dryness.

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Fred Smalls

Pros
Brandons ThoughTs
When Fred first came out I immediately noticed his increased mass. Hes been really putting in some work and his quads were sweeping like crazy. He put on the most entertaining performance of the night. His added thickness was apparent, especially in his chest.

cons
Brandons ThoughTs
Though his condition was not bad he could have been harder and dryer. His softness really started to show in his glutes and hams, as they lacked detail.

Built like a truck and massive as f... Thats what you are and what youre made of. No sugar, no spice Nice? Shit, nice has got nothing to do with it.You werent born like this and dont have anyone to thank but yourself.You know that what you put in, you get out. So you spent the better part of your life busting your balls and making this machine one rep, one pack, and one meal at a time. We get it. We're the same way. Thats why weve been making the best, most award-winning training pack in the world since 1983 in Animal Pak. Put in the work and well put out the best. Let's see what you're made of.

26 MARCH 2013 | | musclemag.com XXX MONTH 2012 musclemag.com

Pros
Brandons ThoughTs
I felt that at the finals he was one of the sharpest in the show. He was dry from front to back and his glutes were in better shape than theyve been in a while. I would have liked to have seen him compared in a high callout.

Darrem Charles

Pros
Brandons ThoughTs
It was great to see Darrem back onstage. He performed and moved onstage as if he never left. I dont remember his glutes ever being as striated as I saw them at the finals.

Edward Nunn

cons
Brandons ThoughTs

cons
Brandons ThoughTs
His upper body was a bit flat. He needs a bit more fullness and pop.

The first thing I noticed was that he had on a little too much oil. Then he turned around and appeared to be softer from the back. His physique lacks density.

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Pros
Brandons ThoughTs

10
Fouad Abiad

Despite his low placing, I dont think Fouad had a bad performance. He definitely looks to have increased in size!

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cons
Brandons ThoughTs
He just didnt stand out. He just doesnt flow as well with the size i ncrease, and his lower back had a noticeable film on it.

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Pros
Brandons ThoughTs
Marcus is a great entertainer and appeared to be having a great time onstage. It was definitely on for him. His old quad injury wasnt even noticeable.

Marcus Haley

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cons
Brandons ThoughTs
The biggest flaw I saw from Marcus was that he had trouble controlling his midsection. Belly rolling is not a good idea if youre trying to hide distension. He was lean but could have been a tad bit drier.

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Michael Kefalianos

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Pros
Brandons ThoughTs
Mike showed why he is known for his wheels and razor-sharp conditioning. His wheels were definitely still there, and he appeared a bit bigger.

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Ronny Rockel

Pros
Brandons ThoughTs
After all these years, Ronny still has good muscles and solid structure. His hardness really comes out as he poses.

cons
Brandons ThoughTs

cons
Brandons ThoughTs
Coming in a little heavier took away from his usually superior conditioning. Knowing Mike, he has many more shows ahead of him and is still waiting to peak!

Ronny looked softer than normal. He lacked detail and was holding water. He also needs to make more of an effort to control the distension in his stomach. Most importantly, he just looked bored onstage!

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ms. inTernaTional

Iris Kyle
FrOM leFt tO rigHt: Angela Debatin, Cathy LeFrancois, Yaxeni Oriquen-Garcia, Iris Kyle, Debi Laszewski, Brigita Brezovac

kyle runs away wiTh ms.inTernaTional again

exas Iris Kyle picked up a record seventh Ms. International crown on March 1 in Columbus, OH, becoming the most decorated bodybuilder of all time, male or female. With another perfect score and already the owner of a record-tying eight Ms. Olympia wins, it doesnt appear Kyle will be bowing out any time soon, so those records shes smashing will simply set new, higher marks. With the win, the 57, 160-pounder claimed the $25,000 first-place prize. Unfortunately, somebody has to finish second and once again it was Miamis Yaxeni Oriquen-Garcia. Competing in the 50th professional show of her career, the five-time Ms. International winner herself settled for the $13,000 secondplace prize. Debi Laszewski, who lives just up the I-95 in Jupiter, finished second a year ago at both the Ms. International and Ms. Olympia and has only once placed outside the top five in a pro show since her pro debut in 2007, but settled for third this time around. Slovenias Brigita Brezovac, who has cumulated three pro wins in her three-plus year pro career, came in fourth. Her best finish on the big stage was third at the 2011 Ms. Olympia. No one has come as far as Canadas Cathy LeFrancois, who finished dead last in her first Ms. International effort (19th in 1999), but won the lightweight category in the 2003 event. The

Yaxeni OriquenGarcia

ms. inTernaTional resulTs

March 1, 2013 * Columbus, OH 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Iris Kyle Yaxeni Oriquen-Garcia Debi Laszewski Brigita Brezovac Cathy LeFrancois Angela Debatin Kim Buck Olga Puzanova Tazzi Colomb Jeannie Paparone Eleni Kavva USA USA USA Slovenia Canada USA USA Russia USA USA Greece $25,000 $13,000 $8,000 $5,000 $3,000 $2,000

winner of three consecutive New York Pro Championships, and the shortest competitor onstage at 52, now has back-to-back top-five Ms. International finishes having placed fourth a year ago. This was LeFrancoiss 12th appearance at the Arnold.
Bill Geiger, MA

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Debi Laszewski

Brigita Brezovac

Angela Debatin

Cathy LeFrancois

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FiTness inTernaTional

Tanji Johnson

Johnson wins
ashington states immensely popular Tanji Johnson is a two-time runner-up of both the Fitness International and Fitness Olympia, but she finally bagged the big one in taking the 2013 Fitness International crown on March 1 at Veterans Memorial Auditorium in Columbus, OH. With a perfect score in the swimsuit round combined with an athletic and acrobatic routine that took second in that round, she edged out Russias Oksana Grishina for the $25,000 first-place check. This was the 10th time that Johnson had competed in the Fitness International. Her impressive rsum is bookended by a win at the Arnold Classic Europe in 2011.

in her 10Th Try,

The FiTness inTernaTional

FrOM leFt tO rigHt: Ryall Vasani, Trish Warren, Oksana Grishina, Tanji johnson, Bethany Cisternino, Regiane DaSilva

ms. FiTness inTernaTional resulTs

March 1, 2013 * Columbus, OH 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Tanji Johnson Oksana Grishina Bethany Cisternino Trish Warren Regiane DaSilva Ryall Vasani Kizzy Vaines Nicole Duncan Fiona Harris Amanda Hatfield USA Russia USA USA Germany Canada United Kingdom USA Canada USA $25,000 $13,000 $8,000 $5,000 $3,000 $2,000

Grishina, who now makes her home in North Hollywood, CA, is a crowd favorite with her tumbling, strength and flexibility moves that oftentimes defy human limits (if you havent seen her routine, check it out on YouTube). The three-time pro winner took home $13,000 and possibly a leading role in a future Cirque du Soleil show? for her efforts.

A consistent finisher, New Jerseys Bethany Cisternino placed third. Cisternino won the 2010 Europa Super Show and was runner-up in countless others, including the St. Louis Pro and Fort Lauderdale Cup last season. Back onstage after maternity leave, Texas Trish (and wife of Branch) Warren finished fourth, continuing a string

of top finishes that included third at the Fitness International (2011) and fourth (2010) a year earlier. Brazilian native Regiane DaSilva, who now lives in Germany, finished fifth, just three points behind Warren. Now in her seventh Fitness International appearance, the former European champs highest placing at Columbus had been fourth in 2009.
Bill Geiger, MA

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Bethany Cisternino

Oksana Grishina

Trish Warren

Regiane DaSilva

Ryall Vasani

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Figure inTernaTional

Candice Keene

secures decisive
W
ith three-time defending champion Nicole Wilkins sidelined with an injury, the 2013 Ms. Figure International at the Arnold Classic on March 1 in Columbus, OH, was a wide-open race for the title. Seven-time pro winner Candice Keene of Maitland, FL, won her biggest competition ever, taking the first-place prize of $16,000. Keene finished third at the Figure International, Figure Olympia and Sheru Classic a year ago but still managed a perfect score in the 11th rendition of the womens event. With five pro wins in 2012 including the Bikini Olympia, Tampas Erin Stern was the odds-on favorite to win, but instead it was Utahs Heather Dees who narrowly took the runner-up spot. Dees won the California Governors Cup a year ago and placed fifth at last years Figure International. For Stern, the fall to third was a bit of a disappointment given her collection of hardware after she won the Arnold Figure Europe, Australian Pro, Valenti Gold Cup and Sheru Classic in addition to her Oympia win. In fourth was Arizonas Candice Lewis, who entered the competition having won five of the 10 pro shows shed entered since 2011. Lewis had a record-tying year in 2012, winning five contests (Houston Pro, Fort Lauderdale Cup, Pro World, Omaha Pro and Wings of Strength). Rounding out the top five was Las Vegas Mallory Haldeman. A pro for less than a year, Haldeman took second in her pro debut in Tampa last August and fifth in the Figure Olympia. Bill Geiger, MA

keene

Figure inTernaTional

win
Candice Keene Heather Dees Erin Stern Candice Lewis Mallory Haldeman Camala Rodriguez Ava Cowan Gennifer Strobo Cheryl Brown Kamla Macko Ann Titone Aleisha Hart Candice John Nicole Sims Giada Simari Olga Morales Natalie Waples

FrOM leFt tO rigHt: Camala Rodriguez, Candice Lewis, Heather Dees, Candice Keene, Erin Stern, Mallory Haldeman

ms. Figure inTernaTional resulTs

March 1, 2013 * Columbus, OH 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 15 15 USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA Canada Trinidad USA Italy Mexico Canada $16,000 $10,000 $8,000 $5,000 $3,000 $2,000

Heather Dees

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Erin Stern

Candice Lewis

Mallory Haldeman

Camala Rodriguez

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Bikini

FrOM leFt tO rigHt: Jessica Paxon, Nicole Nagrani, India Paulino, Nathalia Melo, Yeshaira Robles, Jamie Baird

Paulino wins Bikini I inTernaTional

By razor-Thin margin
ms. Bikini inTernaTional resulTs
March 2, 2013 * Columbus, OH 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 India Paulino Nathalia Melo Nicole Nagrani Yeshaira Robles Jessica Paxson Jaime Baird Jennifer Andrews Tiffany Marie Boydstor Tawna Eubanks Ashley Kaltwasser Anna Virmajoki Lacey DeLuca Abigail Burrows Alexis Kaufman Noy Alexander Marcela Triban USA Brazil USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA Finland USA USA USA USA Columbia $7,000 $3,000 $2,000 $1,000 $1,000 $1,000

FBB bikini competitions may be only in their fourth year, but already Fort Lauderdale, FLs India Paulino tallied her sixth pro win on March 2, coming up with her biggest title yet on the professional stage at the Ms. Bikini International at the Arnold Classic in Columbus, OH. In front of a sold-out Veterans Memorial Auditorium, Paulino moved up a spot from last years runner-up finish to edge Brazils Nathalia Melo and claim the $7,000 first-place prize. Though as a sport it offers little more than women standing and turning onstage, the crossover appeal is obvious as the womens competition is staged back-to-back with the mens pro show. On Paulinos heels was a competitor who knows the champion all too well considering she, too, lives in Fort Lauderdale. Melo was trying to bookend her huge win last September at the 2012 Bikini Olympia with the Arnold title. The five-time pro champ, who came in fifth on this stage a year ago, lost by just two points. Two years ago another Floridian, Nicole Nagrani, swept the Ms. Bikini International and Bikini Olympia titles, but she fell to third this time around. The full-time medical student at Stetson University in DeLand won both the Pro Bodybuilding Weekly Tampa Pro and Sheru Classic titles a year ago. Finishing fourth was New York Citys Yeshaira Robles, who was making her first appearance on the Bikini International stage. Robles had a breakout rookie season a year ago, winning the Valenti Gold Cup and Fort Lauderdale Cup while placing third in three other shows. Rounding out the top five was Centerville, OHs Jessica Paxson. The certified personal trainer is a former figure competitor who transitioned into bikini, having won the 2009 Jacksonville Pro to go with a pair of runner-up finishes. Paxson came in fourth at the inaugural Bikini International in 2011. Bill Geiger, MA

India Paulino

Nathalia Melo

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B E W A R E.

Nicole Nagrani

Yeshaira Robles
a new look. new formulas. its a new age... for a whole new beast.

I T S E V O L V I N G.

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Jessica Paxson

Jamie Baird

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arnold amaTeur
Heavyweight and Overall Champion

Emiliano DellUomo

Middleweight Champion

Super Heavyweight Champion

Charles Mario Soares

Welterweight Champion

Darren Ball Mahmut Irmak

Lightweight Champion

arnold amaTeur mens BodyBuilding class winners

Lightweight Champion Welterweight Champion Light Middleweight Champion Middleweight Champion Light Heavyweight Champion Heavyweight and Overall Champion Super Heavyweight Champion Marcin Kosel Mahmut Irmak Randolph Stephen Naranjo Charles Mario Soares Alex Dos Anjos Emiliano DellUomo Darren Ball Poland Turkey Venezuela Brazil Brazil Italy United Kingdom

Light Heavyweight Champion

Light Middleweight Champion

Marcin Kosel

Alex Dos Anjos

Randolph Stephen Naranjo

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arnold sTrongman
FrOM leFt tO rigHt: Vytautus Lalas (Lithuania), Brian Shaw (USA), Mikhail Koklyaev (Russia), Krzysztof Radzikowski (Poland), Mike Burke (USA), Mark Felix (UK), Jerry Pritchett (US). Thor Bjornsson (Iceland), Derek Poundstone (US), Adam Scherr (US)

Lalas is the total package! Hes strong, fast and doesnt give up. I think he was initially second-guessing himself on certain lifts because of his injury. However, in the end it worked to his advantage because so many people counted him out and expected someone else to win, so he had nothing to lose.

lalas rallies To win arnold sTrongman

Commentary by Mike Jenkins, Worlds Strongest Man, Team MHP Athlete

ithuanias Vytautas Lalas won the final event, the Circus Dumbbell, doing a one-arm overhead press with a gargantuan 275-pound dumbbell five times from the floor in 90 seconds, to come from behind and win the 12th annual Arnold Classic Strongman and claim the sports top payday of $60,000 and the Louis Cyr Trophy on March 2 in Columbus, OH. Brian Shaw, who led after three rounds, including a world record in the Manhood Stones competition by lifting 540 pounds three times, came in second and took the $20,000 award. Besides Shaws record, a number of other world marks fell during the two-day competition. Mark Feliz and Shaw both made 1,122 pounds for new world records in the Tire Deadlift, and Krzysztof Radzikowski set a world record in the Austrian Oak with a threetime clean and two push-presses of 445 pounds. In third was Russias Mikhail Misha Koklyaev, who bagged $15,000; fourth place went to Polands Krzysztof Radzikowski, who earned $10,000, followed by Colorados Mike Burke, who took home an $8,000 prize.

The deadlift was nuts as nearly all competitors were lifting around 1,OOO pounds! Englands Mark Felix and Brian Shaw tied for an in-contest record of 1,122 pounds. Felix, the 46-year-old ageless wonder, then shocked the crowd by hitting an outof-competition record of 1,128 pounds!

arnold sTrongman resulTs

March 12, 2013 * Columbus, OH 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Vytautas Lalas Brian Shaw Mikhai Koklyaev Krzysztof Radzikowski Mike Burke Mark Felix Jerry Pritchett Hafthor Bjornsson Derek Poundstone Adam Scherr Lithuania USA Russia Poland USA United Kingdom USA Iceland USA USA $60,000 $20,000 $15,000 $10,000 $8,000 $6,000 $5,000 $3,000 $2,000 $1,000

It was not known before the contest by anyone other than myself and a few others, but Lalas had not trained in 23 weeks because of a tear in his quad. That makes his victory even more impressive. At 510 Lalas is also the smallest athlete to ever win the Arnold Strongman Classic.

1,128 pound record

There were four events: The Austrian Oak (log lift) The Manhood Stones The Tire Deadlift The Circus Dumbbell.
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Another big surprise was the biceps injury to crowd favorite Derek Poundstone. He tore his right biceps attempting to load the 54O-pound stone. As a result he finished 9th.

The Austrian Oak log lift went as I predicted, and I wasntsurprised to see Polands Krzysztof Radzikowski win the event. Vytautas Lalas and Mikhail Koklyaev from Russia took 2nd.

The stones were heavier than ever, with the big one weighing 54O pounds and the smaller one 452 pounds. The USAs Brian Shaw ran away with this event with five reps. For me, the huge surprise was Thor Bjornsson from Iceland getting zero reps on the big stone. I know Thor to be an amazing stone loader, but this just wasnt his day.

264 pounds
Vytautus Lalas and Mikhail Koklyaev were the standouts when it came to the 264-pound dumbbells, hitting five and four reps respectively off the floor!

While it was disappointing not being able to defend my title due to injury, I had the pleasure of announcing the contest and really got to soak up what the athletes did. All the guys looked huge in the meeting and were anxious to get going.
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