Tampa Pro Rundown.

The dust has settled in Tampa, Fl and super promoter Tim Gardner has wrapped up another phenomenal Pro Bodybuilding Weekly Championships. This is fast becoming one of the premier IFBB Pro League events of the year. Along with the Europa Dallas promoted by Ed and Betty Pariso, the Tampa and Dallas provide a one-two punch combo to end off the year of stateside IFBB mens pro shows. Pretty hotly contested show all around and number one, two and three could have been switched around in any way.

1: Evan Centopani: Steadily improves his physique with each showing. This was a great show for him to pick as he didn't have to break his body back down by doing the Arnold Classic after doing the Olympia. For as big as he is, he has a pretty tapered waist with no distended stomach. Quads are still filling out a big, but they aren't small by any means. Hamstrings could have a bit more drop to them in his side shots and the chest can come up a bit more as well. Back is a great body part on him, but could still stand to have more mass and knots back there. He's still pretty young in the sport so we are seeing some signs of whats to come in the future.

2: Juan Morel: He was coming off a great NY Pro showing and was training like a hoss getting ready for Tampa to get an Olympia qualification. He kind of underwhelmed here as we've seen better. He was a bit smooth and didn't carry the dryness he had in New York. Fuller quads putting to rest he needs to fill out his lower half more, but I think he may have tried to come in a bit bigger at the expense of conditioning. His frame can carry lots more muscle and look very good. But it has to be conditioned to the max. He's one to watch for and dangerous in lineups. I'd like to see him at the Arnold Classic next year to be honest. I think he can make a lot of noise there, even if people are coming off the Olympia.

3: Essa Obiad: Improved from Chicago. He has a great physique, but I think he loses a little bit in the way he presents it. There are a couple pictures of him relaxing his stomach a bit in his side poses(we must have went to the same posing school). He's also still building a "name" over here in the states. Very rugged physique that can still improve by leaps and bounds. I'd love to see him here in the states with a solid year of training. I really would like to see him in the lineup in Vegas.

4: Mo Bannout: Surprise of the show. Very thickly muscled and came to play. I thought he could have been a bit tighter. Shape not the greatest but made up for it with a good combo of condition and size.

5: Lionel Beyeke: I was expecting more. Thats about all I can say. Pretty smooth all over. I think thats more of a travel issue than anything. France is not exactly walking distance to Florida. With that being said, if he was in top shape, the show would be his. No question about it. He looks like a cartoon character but will be regulated to lower placements if he doesn't get it together. He's in Dennis James hands now, so I think we'll see a big improvement from Florida.

6: Lee Banks: Shouldv'e been top five. He wasn't as sharp as he's been in the past, but he was sharper than Lionel. Hands on hips most muscular is a winner Needs to be tighter from behind in the back and glutes. Front double bicep was top 5 worthy.

I know many think Evan took this away easily, but I really think Essa could have won. Third was a bit harsh in my opinion. Second for Morel was a bit giving, but I'm judging on pics as I wasn't there.

Others who impressed:

-No, his physique isn't pretty, but lets give credit where credit is due. Keith Williams has brought great condition with every show he's been in thus far and he's been killing it since May.

-You'd be hard pressed to find a better shape on that stage than Jeff Beckham. Needs more size and condition. He may be the next one to be a superstar on an IFBB stage.

-Top ten for Rafael Jaramillo after winning his class at USA's is a win. He can build upon this for the future.

-I know this is a mens review, but Shannon Courtney is just all types of awesome! Go forth to Dallas!

-It's good to see Johnathan Rowe, but he has to show more to move up. Lots more. Great shape, but thats only part of the equation.

All in all, great show and I'm eagerly looking towards Dallas. My dark horse........Steve Kuclo. Bet on it!