Lionel Beyeke can pass as the French cousin of Kai Greene – like fries vs frites. Huge shoulders, small waist and joints that make his muscles look cartoonish are what propelled this French athlete into first place at the 2012 Flex Pro in Santa Monica followed by second and third place finishers Ben Pakulski and Fouad Abiad. Beyeke then placed 6th at 2012 Arnold Classic in a very tough lineup. Arguably, he could have placed higher than others, but that's a different story.
Things didn't go so well after the Arnold, placing 10th at the 2012 Mr Olympia and 11th at the Arnold Classic Europe. I've seen Beyeke on stage and have stood next to him back stage. Impressive is a word I would use to describe him. However, I've heard others mumble that Beyeke can't diet or holds too much water, etc.
I don't agree.
First of all, this silent but deadly bodybuilder had a lot of personal stuff going on in 2012. Mostly, his wife delivered a brand new baby a few nights before the 2012 Mr Olympia. Beyeke left to Las Vegas from the hospital in France. His heart wasn't in the Olympia.
How can anyone blame him? I most of all empathize because my little girl was born just a week before, and I didn't want to be at the Olympia. But, we both are professionals and had to be in Las Vegas to fulfill our obligations. I never understood the stress of new fathers waiting for their wife to deliver through their pregnancy. Only after going thorough it did I realize what a life changing experience it is before the baby is born let alone when it finally pops into the world for all to see.
Enough about me and babies!
2013 is right around the corner. Beyeke's baby is on terra firma and he is back in the gym hitting it hard for 2013. Anyone that has written him off or think he doesn't know how to diet best hold their tongue. In these pictures one can see Beyeke's physique has all the trademarks of a winning pro.
Look for Beyeke early this year hunting for that elusive Olympia qualification. He will not disappoint!
