Muscle Sport Magazine » Ava Cowan

Phil Heath Defeats Jay Cutler To Become 13th Mr. Olympia in Bodybuilding History

Joe Pietaro — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 07:19:16 +0000

They stood in the same spot on the Orleans Arena stage as they did a year ago, but on this evening it was Phil Heath who heard his name called as the winner. “The Gift” brought an incredible package to the stage and was able to knock out the champ – and his best friend – Jay Cutler, who was gracious in defeat.

“I’m actually happy right now,” Cutler said with a smile as he congratulated Heath on the win.

Overcome with emotion, Heath reveled in being congratulated by the other nine finalists and then brought up a story when he first met Cutler backstage at a local bodybuilding show. “I was playing college basketball back then…all scrawny and I saw (Cutler) walk by and I thought to myself, ‘That’s one big dude,’” recalled Heath.

Heath becomes the 13th man to win the Sandow and prevented Cutler from joining an elite group with five or more titles (Lee Haney, Dorian Yates, Ron Coleman).

Rounding out the top 10 were Kai Greene, Victor Martinez, Dennis Wolf, Dexter Jackson, Toney Freeman, Brandon Curry, Ronny Rockel and Hidetada Yamagishi.

Nicole Wilkins reclaimed the Figure Olympia title she lost to Erin Stern in 2010, with Stern taking the runner-up spot and Ava Cowan placing third.

OFFICIAL RESULTS – MEN’S OPEN

Jay Cutler & Phil Heath Head-To-Head for the 2011 Mr. Olympia

Joe Pietaro — Sat, 17 Sep 2011 07:07:16 +0000

The men’s prejudging is completed at the 2011 Mr. Olympia and it appears that it will come down to the same two competitors as last year. Jay Cutler has the size but Phil Heath is in incredible condition and brings a physique that has the mass and aesthetics at the same time.

It’s will be hard to argue if “The Gift” gets the nod, as he is showing improvements from 12 months ago. The same cannot be said of the defending title holder. Cutler appeared to be a little drier in 2010, but a day can make a big difference in bodybuilding. We will see tomorrow night.

Kai Greene, Dexter Jackson, Victor Martinez and Dennis Wolf were also in the first call-out and that should be the top six in no particular order. Greene is a little bloated but looks massive and he should be able to place third. The rest can be interchangeable.

On Saturday evening, we will find out if Cutler can win his fifth Sandow or become the first Olympia champion to be defeated on two separate occasions.

The figure competition is also on tap, where Nicole Wilkins-Lee and Erin Stern have chiseled out a great rivalry. Here is the full line-up:

FIGURE

Alea Suarez
Alicia Harris
Ann Titone
Ava Cowan
Candice Keene
Candice John
Chelsea Morgenstern
Cheryl Brown
Courtney West
Darlene Escano
Deena Walsh
Ella Horton
Erin Stern
Felicia Romero
Gennifer Strobo
Heather Dees
Holly Beck
Jami DeBernard
Jelena Abbou
Krissy Chin
Kristen Nagrani
Larissa Reis
Latisha Wilder
Michele Mayberry
Monica Specking
Natalie Waples
Nicole Wilkins
Raechelle Chase
Teresa Anthony

Toney Freeman Wins 2011 IFBB Europa Dallas Super Show

Joe Pietaro — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 02:07:59 +0000

In perhaps his last legitimate shot to win a big show, the ageless Toney Freeman took the top spot at the 2011 IFBB Europa Super Show in Dallas, Texas. At 45 years of age, the X-Man has been a consistent top-six competitor since making his professional debut at the 2003 Night of Champions, but has not tasted victory since the 2009 Sacramento Pro.

Ed Nunn gave Freeman a run for his money and finished as the first runner-up. Shawn Rhoden, Mark Alvisi and Mike Liberatore rounded out the top five.

In the 202, Guy Cisternino prevailed over Fernando Noronha Almeida and Tricky Jackson. The young Cisternino won his first pro show and should have a shot at the top six at the Olympia if he can bring the same conditioning to Las Vegas.

In the pro figure category, the gorgeous Ava Cowan won with Deena Walsh second and Ellas Horton third.

Natalie Pennington took first in the pro bikini, followed by Jessica Jessie and Sonia Gonzalez.

2011 IFBB Europa Super Show Dallas Competitors Lists

Joe Pietaro — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 02:10:25 +0000

The dog days of summer have been baking the entire country and it will get even hotter in Texas this weekend with another great IFBB show promoted by Betty Pariso. The 2011 Europa Super Show will pit a well-rounded line-up in the men’s open that features the X-Man Toney Freeman, Mark Alvisi, Mike Liberatore and Shawn Rhoden.

The 202 division gets to share the big stage, as well as the women in figure, fitness and bikini.

Open Men:
Mark Alvisi, USA
Constantinous Demetrioy, Australia
Oscar Dexter, Tahiti
Clarence De Vis, Belgium
Toney Freeman, USA
Lance Johnson, USA
Mike Liberatore, USA
Manuel Lomeli, Mexico
Antonio Jose Morales Vidal, Spain
Zaher Moukahal, UAE
Fernando Noronha, Brazil
Edward Nunn, USA
Senior Heinz, USA
Phil Con Kaenel, Switzerland
Shawn Rhoden, USA

202 Men:
Ahmad Ahmad, Sweden
Gerardo Cabrera, Mexico
Guy Cisternino, USA
Derik Farnsworth, USA
Dave Goodin, USA
Randy Jackson, Sr., USA
Tricky Jackson, USA
Alessandro Komadina, Italy
Leonardo Pacheco, USA
Benjamin Parra, Mexico
Angel Rangel Vargas, Mexico
Marvin Ward, USA

Figure:
Michelle Bates, USA
Rebecca Bowers, USA
Tivisay Briceno, USA
Clarissa Castaneda, El Salvador
Ava Cowan, USA
Heather Dees, USA
Soleivi Hernandez, USA
Catherine Holland, USA
Candice Houston, USA
Charmayne Jackson, USA
Julia Ann Kulla, USA
Georgina Lona, Mexico
Benincia Lopez, USA
Tamee Marie, USA
Vicki Nixon, USA
Marie Pierre Ripert, USA
Elvimar Sanchez, Venezuela
Kavvy Sonhos, USA
Alea Suarez, USA
Deena Walsh, USA
Josie Zamora, USA

Bikini:
Jennifer Andrews, USA
Nicole Coleman, USA
Dianna Dahlgren, USA
Sonia Gonzales, USA
Janet Harding, USA
Jessica Jessie, USA
Dayna Maleton, USA
Chrintine Marquez, USA
Taylor Matheny, USA
Natalie Pennington, USA

2011 Arnold Classic Competitor Lists Released

Staff Report — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 02:46:41 +0000

23^nd Annual Arnold Classic / I.F.B.B. Competitors / March 4-6, 2011

Arnold Classic

Fouad Abiad

Evan Centopani

Toney Freeman

Dexter Jackson

Johnnie Jackson

Victor Martinez

Essa Obaid

Ben Pakulski

Robert Piotrkowicz

Ronny Rockel

Sergey Shelestov

Mohammed Touri

Branch Warren

Roelly Winklaar

Dennis Wolf

Ms. International

Rita Maria Bello

Dayana Cadeau

Tina Chandler

Maria del Carmen Gomez-Segura

Sarah Hayes

Iris Kyle

Debi Laszewski

Cathy LeFrancois

Yaxeni Oriquen Garcia

Jeannie Paparone

Alina Popa

Antoinette Thompson

Isabelle Turell

Betty Viana-Adkins

Fitness International

Myriam Capes

Regiane Da Silva

Nicole Duncan

Tina Durkin

Allison Ethier

Adela Garcia

Oksana Grishina

Tanji Johnson

Daniela O’Mara

Erin Riley

Camala Rodriguez

Sylvia Tremblay

Bethany Wagner

Trish Warren

Figure International

Teresa Nicole Anthony

Cheryl Brown

Ava Cowan

Jenn Gates

Alicia Harris

Candice Keene

Chelsey Morgenstern

Larissa Reis

Natalia Revajova

Felicia Romero

Rosa-Maria Romero

Monica Specking

Erin Stern

Courtney West

Latisha Wilder

Nicole Wilkins

Bikini International

Jelena Abbou

Dina Al-Sabah

Jennifer Andrews

Jaime Baird

Jessica Clay

Missy Coles

Willeke “Wicky” Davis

Sonia Gonzales

Amanda Latona

Nathalia Melo

Shelsea Montes

Justine Munro

Nicole Nagrani

Noemi Olah

Jessica Putnam

Monique Ricardo

Alison Rosen

Source: Matt Lorz/Arnold Sports Festival Media Relations

Cedric McMillan Wins Overall at the NPC Nationals in Hollywood, FL

Joe Pietaro — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 22:17:39 +0000

After taking the super heavyweight division, Cedric McMillan stood on the stage in Hollywood, Florida awaiting the announcement of who would be named the overall champion. As he stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the other six category winners, the South Carolina native must have had a lot going through his mind.

Did he reflect back on the 2008 Junior USAs, when he took the super-heavies and overall? If he did, McMillan must have felt deja-vu when he heard his name announced once again as the best man in town that evening. What made this accomplishment all the more special was the fact that he was one of seven young men to earn their pro card.

Also taking home pro cards were Bleu Taylor (bantamweight winner), Joe Vu (lightweight winner), Shavis Higa (welterweight winner), Nathan Detracy (middleweight winner), Seth Feroce (light heavyweight winner) and Jeff Long (heavyweight winner).

Some popular names finished out of the running, such as “Big” Sean Allen (6th – SH), Trey Brewer (8th – SH), Lee Banks (2nd – HW), P.J. Braun (12th – HW), Paul Sousa (13th – HW), Tamer El-Guindy (3rd – LHW), Branden Ray (4th – LHW) and Timothy Corscadden (DNP – LHW).

McMillan joins a list with some quality company in winning this contest. Lee Haney (1982), Shawn Ray (1987), Jay Cutler (1996) and Victor MArtinez (2000) all have enjoyed this honor.

In women’s bodybuilding, Kris Murrell won the heavyweight and overall titles and earned her pro card along with Lori Steele (lightweight winner), Lisette Acevedo (middleweight winner) and Nicole Berg (light heavyweight winner).

In figure, Mindi Smith was named the class E and overall winner, earning her pro card. Joining her on the paid circuit were Kimberle Trowbridge (class A), Kathleen Tesori (class B), Ava Cowan (class C), Taylor Gallagher (class D)and Holly Beck (class F).

As far as the bikini class went, Jessica Anderson won the overall and class E. Others who walked away with pro cards were Trina Goosby (class A), Erica Reder (class B), Alea Suarez (class C), Tianna Ta (class D) and Stephanie Lindsey (class F).

Buonocore Bests Braun & Jegelevicius for NPC Eastern USA Title

Joe Pietaro — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 20:40:49 +0000

A sold out crowd at the BMCC Tribeca Theater of Performing Arts were treated to a four-hour show of men and women’s bodybuilding, fitness, figure and bikini competitions. It was another successful event promoted by husband and wife super team of Steve Weinberger and Bev Francis, who also own the Mecca of the east coast, Powerhouse Gym in Syosset, New York. At the end of the evening, light heavyweight Chris Buonocore took home the overall championship and knocked off a deep line-up in doing so.

The obvious fan favorite was Connecticut’s P.J. Braun, who brings a mixture of confidence and insanity to the stage. He definitely had his guns loaded and won the heavyweight class. Lithuanian Audrius Jegelevicius, who won the NPC Metropolitan overall in this very same building in April, was named the super heavyweight winner.

A good showing was also made by Paul Sousa, who won the Masters 35+ Heavyweight and Masters Overall. He finished as the runner-up to Braun in the open heavyweight category.

Perhaps the most impressive of all the competitors was Nick Medici, who was named the champion in the Teen B, Teen Overall, Novice Light Heavyweight and Novice Overall divisions. This young man definitely has a future and it would not be a surprise to see him gracing the pages of the muscle magazines very shortly. Definitely the earner of a future pro card.

In women’s bodybuilding, Andrea Giacomi won the overall over Myra Adams and Maria Rita Penteado.Ava Cowan won the overall figure while Sue Dent took the fitness and Monica Eiler the bikini.

Kai Greene, the 2009 Arnold Classic winner, really blew things up with an excellent guest posing appearance. The Brooklyn native possessed an incredible set of wheels and a lat spread that could gather frequent flier miles.