Jerry Nicholls once more found the going tough and failed to make an impact in two contests in the International Federation of Bodybuilders (IFBB) pro ranks.
The former Barbados and Caribbean heavyweight amateur champion finished at the back of the field in the recent Tampa Pro and the Europa Super Shows.
Nicholls, 41, a two-time Mr Barbados and the 2005 Central American and Caribbean overall winner, was outgunned in both size and condition by mostly second-tier pros vying for spots at next month’s Mr Olympia competition.
The Europa Super Show, held in Dallas, Texas, two weeks ago, featured “The X-Man” Toney Freeman, Mark Alvisi, Mike Liberatore and Shawn Rhoden.
In perhaps his last legitimate shot to win a big show, Freeman took the top spot. At 45 years of age, “The X-Man” has been a consistent top-six competitor since making his professional debut at the 2003 Night of Champions, but had not tasted victory since the 2009 Sacramento Pro.
Ed Nunn gave Freeman a run for his money and finished as the first runner-up. Rhoden, Alvisi and Liberatore rounded out the top five.
The first prize cheque of $10 000 for the Tampa Pro in Florida was won by South African Marius Dohne with Japan’s Hidetada Yamagishi, having to settle for second spot.
Meanwhile, it has been announced that this season’s Arnold Classic champion Branch Warren will be sitting out the revered Mr Olympia slated for September 16 and 17 in Las Vegas.
The beefy Warren, who has made noticeable upper torso improvement over the last two seasons, was a favourite to challenge for the title, but with only four weeks to go he suffered a torn quad tendon in his left leg.
As often is the case, the injury didn’t happen in the gym. Warren was in Atlanta for a guest posing appearance and he slipped on wet pavement getting into a car.
At last year’s Mr Olympia, Warren was third behind the imposing Jay Cutler and dynamic Phil “The Gift”?Heath.
