Aussie Pro Show

[musclenz]

Probably what we tend to forget here in NZ, is that most of our Pros have full time jobs to contend with, no financial backing, relatively poor training facilities, little access to the necessary drugs & supplements & are on the other side of the world when it comes to getting experience with other Pros & Trainers. Those that are making the effort, not only the Pros but all the top Intl competitors, should get our full support as they really have to sacrifice a lot to get there.

[MasterTel]

I don't think even Grant would expect to be considered in the same league (yet) as the guys who filled the top 3 placings last weekend. Grant is probably only 24 or 25 - very young compared to others at the top of the heap like Toney Freeman (42 years old), Dexter Jackson (39), Ronnie Coleman (44 and rumoured to be making a comeback!), Jay Cutler (35) etc.

The big things Grant has on his side are time and potential. Some will say why let him compete now as a Pro rather than wait 3-4 years when he is perhaps more competitive. But the NZFBB Exec have said - why not endorse his Pro card application and let him out there now to follow his dream and probably be even better with 3-4 years of IFBB Professional competition experience behind him that waiting that long to let him loose on the big stage. Salah is another who fits this reasoning (i.e. young age and potential) and also why recent NZFBB Overall National Champs winners - Mike Kingsnorth and Mike Debenham, have been allowed to follow their respective dreams in their early to mid-30s.

Look at how much Moe has improved in the past two years - he is now fully established as one of the top IFBB Professionals. One great thing about letting all these guys from NZ get on the IFBB Professional stages around the world is that it's inspirational for all bodybuilders in NZ and while some will struggle to ever match the best in the World, they can still make themselves proud (and us of them).

I've also been reading on another site some of the derogatory comments about another competitor from the Aussie show - Mike Kefalianos (Aussie/Greek competitor) who finished 4th last weekend and therefore qualified for this year's Mr Olympia. People are saying he doesn't deserve to be at the Mr Olympia, but the guy took 4th spot fair and square and it's not his fault if some better competitors pulled out of the event to weaken the lineup.

[Android]

I don't think even Grant would expect to be considered in the same league (yet) as the guys who filled the top 3 placings last weekend. Grant is probably only 24 or 25 - very young compared to others at the top of the heap like Toney Freeman (42 years old), Dexter Jackson (39), Ronnie Coleman (44 and rumoured to be making a comeback!), Jay Cutler (35) etc.

The big things Grant has on his side are time and potential. Some will say why let him compete now as a Pro rather than wait 3-4 years when he is perhaps more competitive. But the NZFBB Exec have said - why not endorse his Pro card application and let him out there now to follow his dream and probably be even better with 3-4 years of IFBB Professional competition experience behind him that waiting that long to let him loose on the big stage. Salah is another who fits this reasoning (i.e. young age and potential) and also why recent NZFBB Overall National Champs winners - Mike Kingsnorth and Mike Debenham, have been allowed to follow their respective dreams in their early to mid-30s.

Look at how much Moe has improved in the past two years - he is now fully established as one of the top IFBB Professionals. One great thing about letting all these guys from NZ get on the IFBB Professional stages around the world is that it's inspirational for all bodybuilders in NZ and while some will struggle to ever match the best in the World, they can still make themselves proud (and us of them).

I've also been reading on another site some of the derogatory comments about another competitor from the Aussie show - Mike Kefalianos (Aussie/Greek competitor) who finished 4th last weekend and therefore qualified for this year's Mr Olympia. People are saying he doesn't deserve to be at the Mr Olympia, but the guy took 4th spot fair and square and it's not his fault if some better competitors pulled out of the event to weaken the lineup.

Its a shame people talk about Mike Kefalianos like that. I don't know the guy but he looked in great condition morning and evening. I had Ivan who placed 5th as beating him but then I'm not a judge and maybe his Legs were too big, they were just off the hook!

Grant looked worst at the evening show, all blurry and no visible abs until he crunched them etc. Am glad he did the show though for the experience to be onstage with the best in the world must motivate him more to continue to improve and dial himself him, go Grant :clap:

I learnt how achievable it is to get a Pro card in NZ, where do I sign up?

[nate225]

I don't know how many favours the NZFBB did Grant (and others) dishing out their pro cards. IMHO you don't get a card for potential, and as much potential as Grant has he just wasn't ready (by years rather than months). Pro cards should mean you were the best NZL had to offer & you are there or there abouts to stand on stage with the Pros. If Grant had been declined and cleaned up everyone at the nationals in 2009, then got the card, he may have been a real contender at his first Pro Show in 2010.

In saying all that he's got up there with the big boys, and hopefully spent some time talking to the real deal pros, and no doubt will have found out what he has to do to be in the game. Here's hoping we see a big, brick hard Grant in 2010.

Nate

[Outlaw53]

Its a shame people talk about Mike Kefalianos like that. I don't know the guy but he looked in great condition morning and evening. I had Ivan who placed 5th as beating him but then I'm not a judge and maybe his Legs were too big, they were just off the hook!

quote]

Hardcore Aussie Muscle did a photoshoot with Michael on Sunday after the show and an interview at his hotel on Monday morning.

He looked even harder on Monday!!

He is an extremely polite and well mannered bloke who has got goals and plans for his Pro career, unlike others who just do a show then don't know what to do next.

Michael will make something of himself I believe.

I thought all of the Pro results were spot on.

You could see that Michael had the condition and detail over Ivan.

Mind you - Ivan was fucking huge!!!

We did a photoshoot with him too and have some shots of he and Michael together.

They were very impressive Pro debuts.

[michaelk]

There needs to be a better understanding of the jump from NZ Amateur to Pro, and it's unrealistic to expect someone to go from the national stage to the Pro stage and match it with the top guys everytime....if we did, the only one who could claim that (too date Mike D will be number 2:) is Kevin O'Grady, I would liken the jump from Top NZ Open competitor to Pro the same if not greater than that of Junior men in NZ to Open. How many times would we expect someone to stay on the NZ stage only, and keep winning their class til they are deemed Pro level, because the Pro's will improve during this period too.

Multi title holders like Warren Thin (8x) and Jo S (5x) are the exception.

While we shouldn't be awarding on potential but results, we still need to see where the Pro's are going. I've said it plenty of times, a lot of top pros do nothing in there first time up to bat.

Notwithstanding, I'm sure that Grant will take a lesson from this and realize what needs to be bought regarding Condition, Balance and Size before jumping up again, and will be well aware that on this occaision he missed the mark. He has shown that condition can be achieved, has the years to put on the size, I'd like to see that time well used, hindsight is 20/20 and it's fair to say that so soon after the NZ Nats was too soon. I know that while I didn't bring a big enough packge myself I had made huge progress from the Nats of 06 to the NZ Pro of about 10kg onstage weight and harder, and having been following a preset plan that included getting up there at the time, I did regardless of whether I fully measured up size wise or not.

Grant has about 12 years up his sleeve on me :nod:

Personally, I'd like to see a formula in place that I have been suggesting for a few years for the approval of Pro Card applications-

Must WIN overall or Win Open class twice (ala Rainbow). Whilst both Grant and Salah would not have qualified under this system they qualified fair and square under the system at that time and I support their endevours 110% to succeed (of course not to beat me though :wink: )

Or WIN a Pro Qualifing Invitational event (Dave Smith)

and of course some level of extended support for the NZFBB such as being a financial member for at least two years (not neccessarily consecutively).....but thats an argument for another day, I'm sure Mr Nat will disagree with

[mr natural]

Personally, I'd like to see a formula in place that I have been suggesting for a few years for the approval of Pro Card applications-

Must WIN overall twice (ala Rainbow). Whilst both Grant and Salah would not have qualified under this system they qualified fair and square under the system at that time

i agree with this part whole heartedly. Suprize suprize!

as i'm sure your well aware, Salah beat you once already 8)

[AllenNZ]

I have been in close contact with Grant over the last 2 years. Leading up to this first pro show Grant suffered a few set backs. In due course he will inform everyone on this web site.

Grant and Sesa would like to thank all for your support and encouragement.

Allen & Maree.

[michaelk]

Personally, I'd like to see a formula in place that I have been suggesting for a few years for the approval of Pro Card applications-

Must WIN overall twice (ala Rainbow). Whilst both Grant and Salah would not have qualified under this system they qualified fair and square under the system at that time

i agree with this part whole heartedly

You've accidently edited my quote (i'm clearly not the only one with 8 thumbs and two fingers typing on this forum), I didn't say to WIN the Overall twice, just once or Open class twice.

now lets keep this agreeing to now more than once every 6 months, it'll get boring otherwise.

[Android]

Personally,

i agree with 8 thumbs and two fingers, I did say to WIN the Overall just once or Open class now every 6 months.

I didn't notice he'd edited your quotes...that's a bit off

[musclenz]

Personally, I'd like to see a formula in place that I have been suggesting for a few years for the approval of Pro Card applications-

Must WIN overall or Win Open class twice (ala Rainbow). Whilst both Grant and Salah would not have qualified under this system they qualified fair and square under the system at that time and I support their endevours 110% to succeed (of course not to beat me though :wink: )

Or WIN a Pro Qualifing Invitational event (Dave Smith)

:

Sounds like a sensible & fair way of evening out the playing field & maintaining standards. Interesting to note that even though Dave Qualified in an International Event, his Pro Card application had to go to the IFBB Pro President in New York for approval. Sanctioning at a local level was not deemed to fit the bill in those days.

[mr natural]

Personally, I'd like to see a formula in place that I have been suggesting for a few years for the approval of Pro Card applications-

Must WIN overall twice (ala Rainbow). Whilst both Grant and Salah would not have qualified under this system they qualified fair and square under the system at that time

i agree with this part whole heartedly

You've accidently edited my quote (i'm clearly not the only one with 8 thumbs and two fingers typing on this forum), I didn't say to WIN the Overall twice, just once or Open class twice.

now lets keep this agreeing to now more than once every 6 months, it'll get boring otherwise.

well i think me editing your posts are about as close as we are going to get to an agreement mike :grin:

I think the bar should be set alittle higher than what it is now.

If it makes you feel better i think your the only NZ pro(excuding Moe) who has not looked well out of place in their recent pro showings.

[boostinggtir]

Grant's Show Report

From the Australian Grand Prix 14 March 2009

Well, the Pro show is over, what's next? What can I say? I conquered my first pro show... and boy, did I learn a lot!

Lesson number one: don't get ill before the show. One week prior to competing I had my own little battle with, yep you guessed it, haemorrhoids. During that week Sesa had taken me to Accident and Emergency TWICE and was even referred to Waikato Hospital due to continuous bleeding. By Wednesday I had two options - surgery to remove or antibiotics to prevent infection. Here's where Sesa asked, "do you really want to compete?" HAH! Easy option really when she put it like that; what, give up my first pro show because of a sore bum? Harden up. So, antibiotics in tow we spent the night before flying out at Sesa's parents place in Auckland, then up and early the next morning for experiences unknown.

Friday - Sesa and I arrive at Melbourne Airport and were promptly stood up by our driver for an hour before he turned up. His name was Lucky, and by jingoes he certainly was because I was PISSED off. I got over it pretty much immediately because he was such a nice guy and from then on did no wrong for Sesa and I. Thanks Lucky, you were awesome. Driven straight to 24/7 Doherty's Gym for a meet 'n' greet with the other athletes and organisers. And awesome it was too - had my meal prepared compliments of the gym chef (yes, they have a chef at the gym) and it was just what I needed; met all the gym crew there as well, they were great. Reality set in once I met all the pros; these guys are my role models and to be competing against them in the 'here and now' just made me go 'snap' and I started freaking - WTF!!? Things settled down once we had a train and photo session and realised the pros were all nice guys and willing to help a new kid on the block. Sesa and I then did a food run and arrived back at the Quest Hotel for a bit of R&R.

Saturday (showday) - Words cannot explain the feeling I had backstage for pre-judging; my confidence fell away and congealed into my toes. I felt like I was the size of a ant. Kai, Silvio, Tony, Michael, Ivan, Rusty, Oscar and Con all shifted around me in massive slabs of muscle as I was watching and thinking to myself "holy shit, I have a lot of work to do!" But Sesa by my side with her confident attitude and smile really picked me up - thanks babe, we make a great team! While getting my tan on Kai was lying down on the floor and he gave me some great advice and shared some words of wisdom - now that made me much better, thanks Kai. He told me, "don't be discouraged Grant, I felt the same when I did my first pro show. You have great potential, just give it time". From then on I felt a little more relaxed - the crew backstage were awesome too; Sharon, John, everyone that helped thank you!

The night show I didn't feel my best at all because my haemorrhoids were giving me grief something terrible; I don't know how I managed to get up for it, maybe the pain focused the adrenalin. With the show over, upon reflection, I was pretty pleased with my routine and received good praise about it and feedback. With everything over, it's time to head off to the after-function dinner (lol, that's how bodybuilders roll - work then eat) with all the athletes, judges, organisers and helpers. After the first hit of real food in a long time I can say that I thoroughly enjoyed the night (well, Sesa did that's for sure), we mingled with everyone... Phil Kabbokof, John Tuman... was awesome. A few quiet words were exchanged as the night wore on and I received some very good, constructive criticism from the judges who I bailed up.

Well, what a great learning curve the show was for me; back to the drawing board! That's what I love about this sport, plenty of room to improve. It was a great weekend for me, a real eye opener. I made some firm new friends and my special thanks to Kai Green and Con Demetriou for all your kind support and great advice. And those were my thoughts and feelings from the show; as Ronnie would say, "yep yep yep that's all folks, nothin' but a peanut"... lol.

Goal for next Show: be much harder, leaner and bring my legs up!! And now, if you will excuse me, it is time for me to grow...

http://www.xnh.co.nz/index.php?pr=GRANT_09

Man I got excited just reading this, must have been an awesome experience.

[Android]

Good on him to turning up, others may not have bothered and missed the chance to be on stage with really great bodybuilders.

Can't see his conditioning being overly affected if it happened just a week from the show though, hindsight will help next time. Dehydrating would have been dangerous and difficult for him while on antibiotics though, poor fella (not meant sarcastic).

Putting yourself out in public as these guys do (we all do when competing) is hard when you hear people knocking you and all you did was try your best with what you have, it's definitely not an easy sport (or art form) to be in if you don't have a thick skin or a good support crew.

[Gym rat]

Good on Grant for turning up and giving it ago in his first show and being on stage with guys like Toney Freeman,Kai Green Slivo etc.

[boostinggtir]

[pimp]

salah was the one that looked out of place.

[nate225]

Can't see his conditioning being overly affected if it happened just a week from the show though, hindsight will help next time. Dehydrating would have been dangerous and difficult for him while on antibiotics though, poor fella (not meant sarcastic).

If you remember that far back the exact same issue Grant had caused Porter Cotrell to pull the pin on the Olympia a few days out. Could have easily impacted on condition in a major way, although Grant's lack of size & legs (not being a f*ckwit, just realistic) are another matter.

Great to see Grant getting advice from the top pro's - more value in 5 minutes frank conversation with these guys than an eternity on most internet forums!! My pic is that next time Grant hits the stage he'll be 5kg heavier and shredded to bits!

Nate

[Dr.Jackal]

Antibiotics can seriously mess with ones conditioning, even the day before a show.They make it almost impossible to get "dry" from my experence.

Good on you for doing it Grant, you can be sure you have learnt alot more from this show than you would have had you come in perfect.

[Bluto]

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[Bluto]

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[boostinggtir]

Isnt anybody going to comment on the other videos "boostinggtir" has on that same file. I can see why you like Grant.

Bro, what are you talking about?

[Bluto]

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[boostinggtir]

lmao, the above video isn't even from my account, it's from "bbau01" = bodybuilding Australia. know what the f*ck your talking about, before you accusing someone of been gay. Stop been a hater an be happy for Grant, your only making yourself look bad.

[mr natural]

lol, you been getting in touch with your gay side boostinggtir?