Branden Ray, light heavyweight favorite for class and overall honors

By Shawn Perine

July 22, 2009

FLEXONLINE.COM

With his good looks, crisp physique and engaging personality, 29-year-old Light-heavyweight contender Branden Ray could become the breakout star of the 2009 NPC USA Championships.

WHAT: 2009 NPC USA Bodybuilding, Figure & Bikini Championships
WHEN: July 24-25
WHERE: Artemus W. Ham Concert Hall at UNLV, Las Vegas, Nevada
FOR MORE INFO: Go here

The 5’7″ Ray placed second at the ’08 USA’s to light heavy class winner Curtis Bryant, in his first attempt at winning the event. The 2007 NPC Junior Nationals overall champ sports excellent lines and full muscle bellies, not dissimilar from 2005 USA’s heavyweight and overall champ, Phil Heath.

The last time a light heavyweight class winner won the overall title at the USA’s was in 2004, when Mark Dugdale took top honors. For the first time since then a light-heavy has to be seriously considered among the favorites to win it all.

Be sure to check out flexonline.com regularly throughout the USA’s weekend (July 24th-25th) for timely reports and photos.

Branden Ray