IFBB Judge Steve Weinberger breaks down the top five in Men’s Bodybuilding from the 2012 IFBB Tampa Pro Bodybuilding Weekly Championships this past weekend.
(Related: Tampa PBW Championships Final Report and Galleries)
(Related: Tampa PBW Championships Highlight Video)
5 – LEE BANKS
“He was in great shape, the best I’ve seen him. Great legs. He needs a little more chest and little more thickness on his back. He’s another one that could be a really good pro. There’s a lot of potential here.”
4 – ROELLY WINKLAAR
“He looked his best at the New York Pro (in 2010) and hasn’t really improved that much since then. The problem is, he’s got huge shoulders and arms – they’re tremendous – but they are just so overpowering. Really good legs, but his back doesn’t match his shoulders and arms. He wasn’t as dry as he should have been.”
3 – HIDETADA YAMAGISHI
“His conditioning was as good as it’s ever been. The problem is his symmetry is not as good as his conditioning. He came ready to battle, what’s holding him back a little bit is his shape. But his conditioning was awesome.”
2 – TONEY FREEMAN
“He looked great and was in condition – the best he’s been in a long time. He’s 46 years old – he doesn’t look 46 but, he is – and he’s standing next to guys 20 years younger. That’s hard to do. Toney was phenomenal, but Shawn was tighter and just a little bit better. Toney has always had great shape, but we are starting to see where this skin is giving in a little bit.”
1 – SHAWN RHODEN
“He was in his all time best shape -very very impressive. His symmetry was close to perfect. Right on the money. He is going to be a very dangerous pro and very possibly a top 6 guy in the Olympia. His legs always overpowered his upper body and while he’s still not all the way there, he’s getting there – and when it’s there he’s going to be real dangerous. Unbelievable legs, excellent upper body. And he’s doing it without messing up his symmetry, which is very impressive.”
OVERALL
“The top five – you actually can go as far as the Top 10 – were unbewlievable. It was a great show, they were all in great shape. Jason Huh looked good, Brandon Curry looked good – the top 10 guys all really brought it and it made for a very competitive and exciting show.”
