Lionel Beyeke, Adela Garcia Victorious at 2012 FLEX Pro

By Joe Pietaro
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Updated: February 19, 2012

In earning his first professional win, Lionel Beyeke has gone from ‘The Next Best Thing’ with a world of potential to an instant contender in two weeks at the Arnold Classic. The resident of Paris, France sealed the deal by coming into the evening finals drier than he appeared a few hours earlier at pre-judging and is now the talk of the industry.

The 2012 FLEX Pro is in the books and the crowd in Santa Monica was treated to a close race in the opener of the IFBB pro season. A deep line-up in fitness and a round of the FLEX Bikini Model Search also were on tap.

Ben Pakulsiki was the runner-up and looked to be on point, as well. Fouad Abiad repeated his third place finish here a year ago with Shawn Rhoden and Eduardo Correa Da Silva rounding out the top five, who will all see each another again in Columbus, Ohio.

Because it was such a close call here, this will make for an Arnold that can go any number of ways for the top 10. Beyeke has an incredible mix of size and symmetry and his v-taper is still a key component for the native of Cameroon, Africa. Conditioning has been an issue and although that appeared to be the case in between rounds, he appeared tighter under the lights the second time around in Southern California.

Adela Garcia, the perennial Olympia and International fitness champion, added another trophy to her collection with a great physique and routine. Fan favorite Oksana Grishina was impressive, as usual, and took second. Myriam Capes placed third.

Earning the sash from a field of 20 women for the FLEX Bikini Model Search was Janaina Barral.