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Great win for Gustavo Badell at the San Francisco GP in Hayward, California on March 11. He swept the board in every round to give himself a an impressive First Place. This was Gustavo at his very best, fuller and sharper than at the Arnold Classic just one week earlier. He beat Branch Warren, the new tornado in Pro Bodybuilding by a convincing 13 point margin.
Gustavo was quite emotional when the results were announced, dropping onto his knees on teh stage and pounding teh boards in triumph. He admitted that he had got things wrong the week before at teh Arnold and now he is all fired up to give his best at teh Olympia. I don’t know what he weighed on teh day but 6 days out he was 265 lbs - quite a weight for a man his height.
Melvin Anthony was applauded loudly for a great posing display and this with his symmetry was enough for 3rd. He was not quite as sharp as he could have been but his tiny waist always impresses.
In 4th was Mustafa Mohammad, with Tony Freeman 5th. Tony arguably could have been higher, but at least wasn't totally overlooked as many thought he had been in past shows.
After the two afternoon rounds of the contest, it was clear Gustavo and Branch Warren were battling it out for the top spot. The Venezuelan was brimming with confidence - he turned two callouts into impromptu posedowns, grunting loudly on each pose and aggressively moving toward the front of the stage, followed by other competitors. This upset the head judge, Steve Weinberger, who ordered the group back in line. Flex thinks that Gustavo Badell continues to be an enigma. When first he came out for his mandatories, he seemed good but not spectacular, but when the comparisons began, he stood out. Branch Warren, the man-mountain from Texas, meanwhile, was absolutely solid whenever he flexed, but in between poses he seemed to be a little smooth[ish]. Perhaps he is suffering a little competition fatigue?
Congratulations to Eddie Abbew and Rickie Welling for making the top 15. This was Rickie Welling at his very best.
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