Australian IFBB Grand Prix X

At the new state-of-the-art venue, Melbourne Convention Centre’s Plenary Hall, the sponsors’ booths and packed audience were filled with great anticipation, as Tony Doherty’s Australian Grand Prix X was about to start.

This year’s event has outdone itself; with multiple Arnold winners, past Olympians and many others having recent wins at recent Pro shows around the world, everyone was excited to be in attendance.

Kai Greene’s second trip Down Under has only built on his huge following here and his size and crazy conditioning was just too much for past Olympia winner Dexter Jackson. Dexter had made huge improvements to his conditioning from the previous week’s display in Columbus, Ohio at the Arnold Classic, but it was not enough to dethrone last year’s and current Arnold winner Kai.

The greatest battle of the day was for third place and the last elusive Olympia qualification. Rookie Roelly Winklaar, adopted Aussie Mike Kefalianos, Melvin Anthony Jr and NPC USA winner Greg Atoyan were all in the mix. As they were put through their paces with comparison after comparison, it became quite clear that it was between Mike and Roelly. Melvin wasn’t quite dry enough and a bit behind in the leg department. Greg was a little smaller but has a very pleasing physique and was not too out-gunned here.

There must have been a knife-edge between Roelly and Mike but Roelly got the nod and now has qualified for the 2010 Olympia in Las Vegas, USA. Mike might feel a little miffed on missing by such a narrow margin but I am sure he will continue to improve and will gain a qualification before the season is over. Mike’s condition, size and presentation were superior to the package he brought to the 2009 Australian Pro.

Roelly has a brutal most muscular pose and is a crazy look-alike for the late Sonny Schmidt. Expect big things from this guy as I predict he is the ‘next big thing’ in bodybuilding and it wont be long before you see him push the likes of Kai, Dexter, Jay and Branch!

As the curtain drew on another Australian Grand Prix, which is the third longest-running IFBB Pro show, a very satisfied audience shuffled out of the auditorium with beaming smiles and a newfound enthusiasm to hit the gym!

Congratulations to Tony Doherty, his family and the whole Doherty’s support crew for bringing the biggest, baddest bodies to our shores and we all can’t wait for next year’s extravaganza.

TOP 6

1st Kai Greene (USA)

2nd Dexter Jackson (USA)

3rd Roelly Winklaar (NED)

4th Mike Kefalianos (AUS)

5th Melvin Anthony Jr (USA)

6th Greg Atoyan (USA)

Remaining field

Wong Hong (Malaysia)

Improved from past appearances although needed more tan in pre-judge.

Eddie Abbew (UK)

Needs more leg development and size to move up the ranks.

AD Cherry (USA)

Nice shape and will only improve from here.

Rusty Jeffers (USA)

Great classic poser. Probably not as sharp as he would have liked.

Ivan Sadek (AUS)

Has plenty of mass to run with the big boys but missed his condition on the day. Really hope he gets someone in his corner to totally bring it next year!

Mike Kingsnorth (NZ)

Keeps improving but needs more overall size. Another year in the gym will only see better things for Mike when he returns.

Fadi Zaazaa (LEB)

Totally missed at this show. Fell ill and after pre-judge didn’t return to stage for the finals.

Grant Pieterse (NZ)

This young 24-year-old Kiwi has plenty of time to grow his physique to move up the ranks.

Dan Hill (GER)

Another 24 year old with years of development ahead of him. Was still recovering from recent illness in the lead up to this show. Look for a much-improved Dan next year. IM