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It doesn't happen often in the sport of bodybuilding, but when it does, it's nothing less than magical. In his professional bodybuilding debut, Denver's Phil Heath not only took the title of 2006 Shawn Ray Colorado Pro/Am Classic Champion, he also etched an indelible image into bodybuilding's storied history.
Regardless of a tremendously partisan hometown crowd, Heath turned skeptics into believers and left believers agog. Comparisons to Flex Wheeler's 1993 Pro debut echoed throughout the Colorado Convention Center shortly after Shawn Ray and company presented Phil with his $25,000 winner's check. The comparison is in no way over-the-top. At 5'9" and hitting the stage at less than 220 pounds, Phil gave the impression, as did his predecessor, of a man much larger. When he posed his body seemed to inflate from a fire within. It is very, very hard to find flaws in the 26-year-old's physique. And to think, he's only been bodybuilding for four years.
Second place finisher Darrem Charles looked terrific and battled Phil pose for pose in a spirited top five posedown. He promises to bring the same stellar package to New York, determined not to let this disappointing loss set him back.
Third place was nailed down by David Henry, who appeared even harder (if that's possible) at the night show than he was during the day's prejudging. His back shots are stupefying and his front ones are barely less.
Fourth place went to Marcus Haley, who was tight as a drum and exuding the aura of a man at peace. It's hard to imagine a happier or more grateful bodybuilder.
The final winner's circle spot went to Big Bill Wilmore, who was the most massive man in a very aesthetic top five lineup.
Kudos to Shawn Ray, Jeff Taylor and Vyotech for putting on a terrific weekend. The Colorado Pro/Am production is a high water mark in professional bodybuilding promotion. We look forward to next year's event, same city, same venue.
Top 15 Placings
Top three qualify for the 2006 Mr Olympia
1.Phil Heath
2.Darrem Charles
3.David Henry
4.Marcus Haley
5.Bill Wilmore
6.Rodney St. Cloud
7.Gary Strydom
8.Troy Alves
9.Jason Arntz
10.Johnny Moya
11.Thomass Benagli
12.Migel Fihlo
13.Edson Prado
14.Kai Greene
16. (tie) Martin Kjellstrom/JoJo Ntiforo
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