2005 New York Pro Show
Written by: Shawn Perine
Will Darrem Charles overcome last year's disappointing and narrow defeat at the hands of Melvin Anthony to win his first pro title in New York? Only the New York Pro judges know for sure, but from the looks of things after the prejudging, it seems he may very well leave the Big Apple humming the tune "New York, New York."
Darrem received first callouts in both the
symmetry and muscularity rounds and was asked to pose for the judges only one time during round one, a good sign to be sure. Although his conditioning was not quite on par with that of the Darrem we've come to know this past decade, his newfound mass, particularly in his upper body, and pleasing shape provided the one-two punch the judges were looking for.
Ahmad Haidar seems to be in good position to nail down the runner-up spot. Haidar, like Charles, is a tad off from his usual stellar conditioning. But he too has added some mass and his overall lines are some of the best in the business. A case could even be made for giving Ahmad the nod over Darrem, based on his superhero-like proportions.
Victor Martinez and Craig Richardson seem to be battling it out for third. Victor, the hometown favorite, missed his peak it seems. He's got the size and shape of course, but looks to be maybe two weeks from achieving the stellar conditioning he displayed at this event's forbear two years ago. Craig seems to be a beneficiary of the new IFBB advisory which re-establishes a preference for aesthetic physiques over merely massive ones. As is the case with the vast majority of competitors, Craig is a bit watery, but has enough God-given shape to settle him onto the finalists' stage.
Freaky Capriese Murray looks to be headed for fifth place. He truly resembles a cartoon character with his w-i-i-i-de shoulders and tiny waist and flaring quads. Murray is one of the few guys who really nailed his conditioning too. But incongruous lumps in his delt region probably have not gone unnoticed by the judges, for whom the new advisory is obviously being taken in earnest.
Rookie pro Chris Cook should take sixth. He looks very, very good. A slight case of subcutaneous H2O is the only thing keeping him from the top five. Of note is the fact that Chris has markedly improved upon his chest and back development, even in the six months since his Nationals win.
Seventh through tenth should include Bob Cicherillo, George Farah, Mustafa Mohammad and Luke Wood, possibly in that order. Dorian Yates and Bev Francis will be co-emceeing tonight's show and we'll be right here to relay their final placing announcements within moments after they occur. Stay tuned!
