Can Henry defend his title against English, Lewis and the rest?
September 18, 2009
FLEXONLINE.COM
While the men competing in this coming weekend’s Mr. Olympia competition will clearly receive the lion’s share of the spotlight, let’s not forget that they aren’t the only bodybuilders of the Y-chromosome persuasion to be taking the stage in Las Vegas. In fact, with names like David Henry, Kevin English, Flex Lewis and Stan McQuay on the roster, the Olympia 202 Showdown promises to be a contest worthy of a weekend to itself.
WHAT: 2009 Olympia 202 Showdown WHERE: Las Vegas, Nevada WHEN: Saturday, September 26 PREJUDGING: 10:30 AM, Las Vegas Convention Center, South Hall FINALS: 7:00 PM, Orleans Arena FOR MORE INFO:CLICK HERE
The second annual 202 Showdown is sure to see a new high-water mark in terms of competitive excitement and overall quality. The show is stacked with primo competitors, from the aforementioned Henry, English, Lewis and McQuay, to Tricky Jackson, Daryl Gee, Jose Raymond and a host of other 202 notables battling at the Expo in the morning, then at the Orleans Arena at night.
NAMEDavid Henry AGE 34 HEIGHT 5’5″ CONTEST WEIGHT 202 COUNTRY OF BIRTH United States CURRENT RESIDENCE Tucson, Arizona OLYMPIA HISTORY 2008, 1st
Last year’s winner, David Henry, has to be considered the favorite, based not only on his standing as the reigning 202 champ, but also for his vast competitive experience. Armed with the best back in the class and outstanding shape, conditioning will e the key for another Henry victory. When he’s “on” he’s unbeatable; when he’s watery, as he was in New York, he leaves the door ajar.
NAMEKevin English AGE 36 HEIGHT 5’4″ CONTEST WEIGHT 202 COUNTRY OF BIRTH United States CURRENT RESIDENCE Great Neck, New York OLYMPIA HISTORY 2008, 2nd
If Henry has an Achilles heel though its name is Kevin English, a man who has beaten him the last two years at Steve Weinberger’s New York Pro 202 contest. English placed runner-up to Henry at last year’s 202 and with a physique that looks much bigger than the stated weight class limit – thanks to tiny joints and full muscle bellies – it will be interesting to see if Henry can even the head to head score at this year’s rendition.
NAMEJames “Flex” Lewis AGE 25 HEIGHT 5’5″ CONTEST WEIGHT 198 COUNTRY OF BIRTH United Kingdom CURRENT RESIDENCE Brentwood, Tennessee OLYMPIA HISTORY 2008, 3rd
Another man who will be pushing hard on that door is Welshman James “Flex” Lewis, who just recently won the Atlantic City Pro 202. Interestingly, Henry’s strong points are Lewis’ weak and vice versa. Whereas Henry has an incredible back and chest, Lewis is a mini-Platz. Henry beats Lewis on width, but Lewis holds the edge in arm mass. Truly apples vs. oranges.
NAMEStan McQuay AGE 36 HEIGHT 5’7″ CONTEST WEIGHT 198 COUNTRY OF BIRTH Japan CURRENT RESIDENCE Porter Ranch, California OLYMPIA HISTORY Rookie
Jacksonville Pro winner Stan McQuay would have been a favorite going into next weekend if not for a last minute miscalculation that sent him plummeting to eighth place at the Europa Supershow 202 in Dallas, Texas. Instead, he’s now an X-factor. If he can regain his Florida form, look for him to make the first callout.
NAME Richard “Tricky” Jackson AGE 42 HEIGHT 5’5″ CONTEST WEIGHT 193 COUNTRY OF BIRTH United States CURRENT RESIDENCE Louisville, Kentucky OLYMPIA HISTORY 2008 202 Showdown, 11th
The man who did win in Dallas, Richard “Tricky” Jackson, seems to be peaking nicely for the Olympia as he’s moved from 5th to 3rd to 1st in the Tampa, Jacksonville and Europa shows. Could Dexter Jackson‘s cousin walk home with an Olympia title of his own?
And what about massively thick Pittsburgh Pro 202 winner Eduardo Correa? Or of the runner-ups in various shows, like rookies Daryl Gee and Jose Raymond, and Mark Dugdale, Charles Dixon and John Hodgson? Without question, this is as stacked a 202 show as the division has ever seen. What is very much in question though, is who of this impressive bunch will stand tall in the end as the Olympia 202 Showdown winner. Check back regularly here on flexonline.com as we bring you the answer.
