In its second year this competition is certainly one that is going to be popular in the coming years. Professional bodybuilders from eight countries took part in this incredible line up. For me personally, and for others that I spoke with, the overall standard was better than the NABBA Universe ProAm! The main show was preceded by a seminar and a strongman competition. Quite strange to see this takes part on a stage. No world records were broken at this but it was pleasing to see one competitor achieve his personal best in the deadlift.
Results of Battle of the Giants:
- Sami Al Haddad - $8,000
- Alessandro Savi - $4,000
- Costantino Polesel - $2,000
- Charlie Abboh - $1,000
- Timo Vilponen - $1,000
- Paul George - $1,000
- Mario caps - $500
- Tommi Thorvildsen - $500
- Diego Martinez - $500
- Jörg Fuchs - $500
- Charalsmpos Sarakinis
- Bjørgulf Hansen
- Biagio Filizola
Last year's winner successfully defending his title; Sami Al Haddad from Bahrain had an extremely pleasing physique. Sami has one of those physiques that when relaxed just looks like he has a great shape but when he flexes the muscles just explode with incredible condition. He has a fabulous stage presence and his evening routine was one of the best I've ever seen, he entered wearing a black cloak and white mask and gloves which fortunately did not stay on too long hiding this incredible physique. His music mix flowed from a dramatic piece into a vocal piece singing "Big Sami".
Alessandro Savi was no doubt hoping to take this title as well as the NABBA Universe ProAm 2008, but for me and many others, his bloated mid section is a negative point to his otherwise massive physique. He is very vascular but lacks striations and for me personally he needs to slow down his posing which comes across as a little jerky. The other point about this guy's physique is that he appears no bigger when he poses thus he appears pretty blocky in his relaxed stance.
Constantino stood out to me early on as being one of the runners for the top spot. He had good mass, a pleasing shape and excellent condition. Personally I had him in second place. Charlie Abboh was another competitor with a bloated mid section but also wide from the front stance which detracted from an otherwise reasonable symmetry. He possibly had the sharpest glutes on stage. Timo Viloponen is a top Finnish bodybuilder who has excellent symmetry and mass with a reasonable condition but could do with drying out a little more to reach top spot. He certainly sported very good quads.
My personal favourite male bodybuilder Paul George who I had gone over to support took 6th place. He had the most compact physique on stage, the amazing condition he is well known for was evident and he was easily one of if not the top for his symmetry.
Top 3:
Paul George:
Sadly the female side of the competition was under-represented with only three entrants. Being titled 'Battle of the Beauties' may indeed have put some off this one! I find it hard to understand how a female slogs her guts out in the gym only to have to do quarters turns for prejudging and then for the evening show hide her physique under an evening dress which she has to wear to do a 30 second routine! Either have a beauty contest or a bodybuilding contest not a combination of the two!
- Lora Barbazza $ 3,000
- Cinzia Chiarenza $ 2,000
- Olga Upeniece $ 1,000
The female winner Lora Barbazza from Italy:
