Who will reign in the USA super heavyweight class?

By Greg Merritt

July 21, 2009

FLEXONLINE.COM

Over the 11 years there has been a super-heavy class at the USA, seven supermen have won the overall. However, the other four years the victor in the unlimited division failed to even nab the second pro card, and that‘s been the prevalent scenario lately, as the super has been shut out at the USA four of the past six years, including last July. This year there will be three pro cards up for grabs, but most of the precontest buzz is about light-heavies and heavies.

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

Kirk DeFrancesco and perennial bridesmaid Grigori Atoyan, who finished second and third respectively in this class at last year‘s USA, are the super favorites, though neither 5’8″ man is truly supersized. Jerome Ferguson could surpass both if he regains the crispness that earned him a runnerup finish here in ’05. And there are several rising contenders with the height and breadth to overpower everyone if they‘ve filled out enough, including Malcolm Marshall, Robert Burneika and Keith Williams. Appropriately, the class with the biggest competitors is itself the biggest question mark.

Kirk Defrancesco

Grigori Atoyan

Jerome Ferguson

M&F Trainer Transformation WINNER!

Malcolm Marshall

M&F Trainer Transformation WINNER!

Robert Burneika

M&F Trainer Transformation WINNER!

Keith Williams