Tag: GI News
17-Year-Old Karlos Nasar Snatches 175kg in Training Session
Karlos Nasar matched the current world record in the 81kg division.
Youth powerlifting is something that is beginning to take some huge steps forward. The talent level is growing each year and it is because of athletes like Karlos Nasar. The 17-year-old powerlifter from Bulgaria has put up some big numbers and that continued in a recent training session.
In a recent workout, Nasar completed a 175kg (385.8lb) snatch. This matched the current world record in the 81kg division. the record is held by China’s Li Dayin. This lift obviously cannot be recognized as a world-record lift because it happened in training but it does not take away from the accomplishment, especially at 17 years old.
Dayin set the world record of 175kg during the 2020 Asian Weightlifting Championships. This competition in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. This was not the first time the record was broken. Previously, Lu Xiaojun set the originally mark of 172kg (379.2lb) at the 2018 Weightlifting World Championships. At the same competition, Mohamed Ehab set a new mark by a single kilogram.
Karlos Nasar could be the next big thing in the 81kg division. He is just 17 years old but has been a force in Youth competition. Nasar won back-to-back titles during the 2018 and 2019 European Youth Weightlifting Championships. He also won the 2019 Youth World Weightlifting Championship title in the 73kg division.
At the 2021 European championships, Nasar finished second but earned multiple Junior European records. He snatched 163kg (359.4lb) to set a record and completed a 206kg (454.2lb) clean & jerk. This added together for a total of 369kg (813.5lb). This came after Nasar was also victorious during the 2020 Youth World Cup.
Karlos Nasar has been putting up some big numbers in training recently. This means that there could be something special coming next time he steps on stage. Nasar has already matched the world record and could have some more time to get his numbers up even higher.
Nasar is one of the up-and-coming talents in powerlifting and has already made an impact at the Youth level. At just 17 years old, Nasar has plenty of room to develop and that is a scary thought for opponents. It will be interesting to see where he goes from here and what lifts are attempted at the next competition.
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Arnold Schwarzenegger Issues Statement Following Passing Of Dave Draper
Arnold Schwarzenegger recently issued a statement on the passing of one of his idols.
It was announced on Tuesday that legendary bodybuilder Dave Draper had passed away. This is news that impacted many around the sport of bodybuilding and that includes Arnold Schwarzenegger. After receiving the news, the legendary bodybuilder took to Instagram to issue a statement on the passing of another.
Schwarzenegger discussed how Draper impacted his career when he first came to America. He was familiar with Draper’s work and even kept his magazine cover for inspiration. Schwarzenegger posted a heartfelt caption on social media along with a picture of the two of them.
“Dave Draper was an inspiration to millions of people all over the world, including me. He was one of my idols. In Austria, I kept his cover of Muscle Builder magazine on the wall above my bed for motivation, and when I saw him starring in “Don’t Make Waves”, I thought, “My dreams are possible.” When I got to America and finally met Dave, I learned his heart was as big as his pecs. He even hand-built my first furniture when I moved to Santa Monica, and let me tell you, he was talented.”
Arnold Schwarzenegger came to America and quickly became one of the best bodybuilders in the world. He connected with Draper in Santa Monica, CA. Draper had moved out West from New Jersey in order to train at a higher level. While out there, Draper connected with many of the top bodybuilders such as Schwarzenegger and Franco Columbu.
“Can you imagine meeting your idol and becoming his training partner and traveling all over the world together? I was in heaven. He couldn’t have been more welcoming, and he was a fantastic training partner who always pushed everyone around him in the gym to be better. He was an amazing writer and a great family man. I will miss the Blond Bomber, but his memory will always be with me. My thoughts are with Laree and the whole family.”
Draper made an impact on many throughout his career. Arnold Schwarzenegger is another bodybuilder who transitioned to the big screen and began a newsletter of his own. He shared plenty of experiences in his Instagram post and let his following in on the impact that Draper has early on in his career.
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Legendary Bodybuilder Dave Draper Has Passed Away At 79 Years Old
Dave Draper, known as “The Blonde Bomber” won many titles in his career.
Legendary bodybuilder Dave Draper has passed away at the age of 79. Draper’s wife, Laree, made an announcement on Facebook on Tuesday morning to confirm the news. There was no cause of death disclosed but Laree did say that it was “calm and peaceful.”
“Hi, friends, as the word’s getting out, I wanted to let you know so there’s no confusion. Dave died early this morning. I was with him and it was calm and peaceful. It, as his doctor told me a little while ago, was a good death.”
Dave Draper put together an extremely successful career as a bodybuilder. A native of Secaucus, NJ, Draper began lifting weights at a young age and was on a bodybuilding stage at 21 years old. This is when he won the Mr. New Jersey title. Once he found some success, Draper moved out to Santa Monica, CA to train alongside bodybuilding legends such as Arnold Schwarzenegger, Frank Zane, and Franco Columbu.
Mr. New Jersey was the first major victory of Dave Draper’s career. Others included the 1965 Mr. America, 1966 Mr. Universe, and 1970 Mr. World. Draper also appeared in the 1967 Olympia competition where he finished fourth behind Sergio Oliva, Chuck Sipes, and Harold Poole.
Following a successful career in bodybuilding, Dave Draper would venture into other avenues. Like many athletes with incredible size, Draper made an appearance on the big screen and in multiple TV shows. Draper was featured on magazine covers and even began writing on his own. Draper published many works, including an online newsletter. This is where he continued to share insight on training and fitness. This newsletter continued up until 2019. His most famous piece of work remains his book entitled Iron Brother, Sister Steel.
Draper made an impact on bodybuilding because of his incredible size and ability to compete with some of the best in the world. He was multi-talented and this was highlighted following his career on stage. Draper is survived by his wife, Laree.
Generation Iron wants to send condolences to friends and family of Dave Draper during this time. For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Iain Valliere: How Progress Pictures Can Be A Double-Edged Sword For Bodybuilders
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Iain Valliere shares his opinions of pro bodybuilders sharing progress pictures leading up to a competition – and how it can both help and hurt the athlete.
Back in the day, bodybuilding fans had to wait for magazines to see updates on their favorite bodybuilders. This meant that we couldn’t get the kind of moment to moment physique updates that we see in today’s bodybuilding world. Now fans can see what an athlete’s physique looks like mere hours before they step on stage. But how does this affect the mindset of the athlete going into a competition? In our latest GI Exclusive, Iain Valliere breaks down the pros and cons of sharing progress pictures before a bodybuilding show.
Dorian Yates was known as The Shadow due to the mysterious nature of his training. Partially because of being located in the UK – he would hide all updates about his training and physique until the day of the show. His massive and shocking physique shocked audiences and judges alike. Today, that notion of withholding information is foreign for most of the bodybuilding industry. This is due to social media and direct updates from the athletes.
Iain Valliere points this out early in our discussion about progress pictures. He explains that for some athletes – mystery and anticipation work in their favor. For many others, progress pictures have become part of an athlete’s brand. Transparency, interaction with fans, and constant updates help keep a bodybuilder’s following engaged right up to the moment of the competition.
But Iain Valliere doesn’t think it’s necessarily a better thing. Ultimately, it depends on what works best for the athlete at the center of it. Post progress pictures invites not only fan feedback but also feedback from fellow athletes and coaches. That wave of feedback can get into a bodybuilder’s head. It sounds silly – but competitive bodybuilding is a sport about looks and judging looks. If comments start to cause mental turmoil – it can affect a bodybuilder’s prep.
That’s why Iain Valliere believes that a bodybuilder needs to take a deep look into what really works for each individual. If a bodybuilder has tough skin against comments online and can focus on the prep without issue – then progress pictures can be a great way to build a following and keep engagement fresh.
For others, it can lead to second guessing prep decisions. Even worse, it can lead to a bodybuilder putting energy into reacting and responding to criticism that takes away from the actual work needed to improve. If a toxic environment grows from progress pictures – it can create a mental headspace that leads to less motivation and less fruitful contest prep.
Iain Valliere admits there is no right answer as to whether instant progress pictures are better or worse than the former way of bodybuilding life. But what is important during this transitioning time of technology is for each athlete to really understand his or herself. What is the ultimate goal of posting a progress picture? Will the benefits outweigh the detriments? That depends on each person’s headspace.
While the decision is seemingly flippant – studies have increasingly shown how addictive social media can be – and how affecting it is on a person’s mood. Iain Valliere believes that, while simple on the surface, the decision to post your physique on social media should be a well thought over business decision. It can have small effects that eventually add up to hurt or help an athlete’s entire career. The decision should be treated as such.
You an watch Iain Valliere go into detail about progress pictures in our latest GI Exclusive interview segment above.
Fouad Abiad Announces Retirement From Bodybuilding
Fouad Abiad will retire from bodybuilding and might make a move to commentate.
Fouad Abiad has officially announced his retirement from the sport of bodybuilding. The Canadian bodybuilder discussed his decision in a recent interview and spoke on his plan to potentially move to the booth as part of the broadcast team for the 2022 Arnold Classic.
The recent string of deaths in bodybuilding has been tragic and is bringing to light some issues that might be present in the sport. Abiad spoke on George Peterson and Shawn Rhoden specifically.
“George passed away and then Shawn passed away I’m like, you know what am I doing at this point? You know I’m 43, I’ve nothing to prove. And so I decided we did good work like I’m down to 260 this morning.”
Fouad Abiad has put together a career that has spanned over a decade. He has some prestigious victories in shows like the Vancouver Pro and europa Orlando Pro. Abiad qualified for the Olympia four times in his career and was a regular competitor at the Arnold Classic as well.
Abiad recently tore his tricep and this was an eye-opening injury. He continued to discuss how he does not want to do any irreparable damage to his body. Also, Abiad wants to work on becoming a blackbelt before he turns 50. At age 43, this gives Abiad seven years to achieve his goal.
“I just decided, like with everything going on health-wise with people, not to mention I got a blood workup about two weeks ago before I got sick, I got blood work done and I didn’t like the way it looked. Abiad said. It didn’t look very good, it looked a little worse than the last time I did it. You know blood work is all about trends and if the trend is not going horizontal or up then it’s not a good thing. Mine was starting to trend a little bit down, so I’m just gonna focus on being lean and looking good.”
“So I want to do something else, so my goal, and probably the people listening are going to laugh at me, but my goal is to be a blackbelt by the time I’m fifty. Abiad said I don’t know if that’s possible in 7-years. I’m gonna have to get down to like 210lbs, or 200lbs, I just need something to put my mind into or else I’m going to go stir crazy with nothing to focus on.”
Fouad Abiad will likely work on broadcasting the Arnold Classic. This is something we saw Cedric McMillan venture into back in September when he was forced to miss the competition due to an injury.
The recent decision by Abiad is one that has many reasons but mainly because the bodybuilder wants to focus on his health. It will be interesting to see if this is a decision that others follow moving forward.
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Hafthor Bjornsson Shares Video Detailing Trip To Grocery Store
Hafthor Bjornsson took viewers on a trip to the store with him.
There are few transformations that have been as impressive as that of Hafthor Bjornsson over the years. The nearly 400-pound powerlifter has dropped over 100 pounds and built a shredded physique as he transitions to boxing. During his strongman career, Bjornsson was consuming around 8,000 calories per day. Since then, there has been a different tune being played and it begins with a leaner diet.
Bjornsson is going to take on fellow strongman turned boxer Eddie Hall at some point in early 2022. This comes after Hall was forced to pull out of their originally scheduled fight in September due to an injury. This is a much-anticipated bout and Bjornsson has been doing the necessary training. This includes putting together a diet full of chicken, rice, veggies, and fish.
In a recent YouTube video, Bjornsson and coach Billy Nelson went on a trip to the grocery store in Glasgow, Scotland. In case anyone was wondering what Bjornsson shops for, he laid it all out in the video.
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Hafthor Bjornsson arrived at Costco and went right for the rice, potatoes, and oats. For breakfast, Bjornsson likes to pair oats with 100 grams of blueberries and 50 grams of strawberries. From there, the duo focused on protein, which included fish, steak, and skyr.
When deciding on potatoes, Bjornsson admitted that they are interchangeable. Regular potatoes are his favorite but sometimes defers to sweet potatoes in his diet. He continued bi throwing a large container of eggs into the cart, along with almond butter. This is a popular snack before bed. Even for an athlete like Bjornsson, it is hard to ignore pizza. He made sure to comment on his cheat days, which are Sundays, as he walked past the stand.
After finishing up a Costco, Hafthor Bjornsson decided to continue his shopping at Tesco Extra. This is where he picked up some more berries, sauces, and chicken. He continued to discuss how he cooks his rice in a chicken or beef stock to add flavor.
Bjornsson has taken his diet seriously and that is the only way to make the transformation that he has in recent months. He prepares all of his meals to save some time and make it easier as he trains multiple times a day. Bjornsson admitted that after a long day of work, cooking does not sound like the preferred activity.
Hafthor Bjornsson has been waiting to take on Hall for a long time now. As each day passes, this is a bout that is gaining traction and is becoming more and more anticipated. When the two step in the ring, there will be two transformed physiques who have successfully transitioned to boxing. There are plenty of reasons to look forward to this fight and both athletes are doing the necessary work to be ready.
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Nick Walker Shares Most Recent Back And Bicep Workout
Nick Walker shared another workout video on his YouTube page.
It is hard to find young bodybuilders with as much potential as Nick Walker. He has already reached great heights within the first year of earning his pro card. This includes a victory at the New York Pro and Arnold Classic. Walker has also been active on YouTube where he posts workout videos for fans to follow.
Most recently, Walker shared a video where he was training back and biceps. He made it clear that the workout would be with free weights and less emphasis would be put on machines. The day began with lat pulldowns, where Walker completed three sets of 10. Walker gave some insight on how to perform the lift. Some tips included staying upright and not leaning back. Also, focus on controlling the weight rather than overloading.
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Walker finished fifth at the Olympia this year. He is building a physique that could one day win the biggest competition of the year. Walker is one of the biggest mass monsters in the sport today and it is because of workouts such as this one.
Nick Walker continued to perform three sets of 10 dual bent dumbbell rows followed by smith machine deadlifts. Walker finished with humblers before moving onto biceps. He did not overload the machine with a ton of weight as this was his fourth workout of the day.
After training back, Walker moved onto biceps. It began with standing bicep curls and 21’s curls. He finished with three sets of 12-15 hammer curls. Walker finished off a strenuous workout by going through a posing routine. This is part of his daily workout in order to remain in competition shape. When he filmed the video, Walker weighed 278 pounds and will continue to put on some more weight slowly.
“I don’t plan on getting drastically heavier. I mean if I do, as long as training’s not suffering, I have good condition and I feel okay, f* it. But it’s not the goal so I definitely like where I am now, how I look being almost 280lbs. Last time I was 280, I feel a lot leaner now.”
Nick Walker has looked as dedicated as ever after his finish at the Olympia. He made it clear that fifth place was not good enough and he will do what it takes to improve. During the offseason, Walker is focusing on those improvements and this means there will be plenty to watch in 2022.
Walker is one of the fastest-rising prospects in the sport and has become a fan favorite. This will continue as he racks up more victories over the next few years and attempts to climb up the leaderboard at the Olympia.
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Patrick Moore On Trash Talk: “It’s Hard For Me To Take It Seriously”
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Patrick Moore: “Fans need to keep in mind that we are not literally trying to kill each other.”
The spectacle of bodybuilding has been a point of conversation for many years now. Since the beginning of bodybuilding’s entrance into a more mainstream culture – rivalries have peppered each era. Some find it to be a vital way to build interest and grow the sport. Others see it as a distraction that degrades the integrity of competitive bodybuilding. In our latest GI Exclusive interview, Patrick Moore shares his opinions on trash talk and rivalries – when it’s helpful and when it goes too far.
As a former boxer, Patrick Moore has a different viewpoint on trash talk and rivalries. In the boxing ring, the trash talk all adds up to an actual physical battle. One person walks away a clear victor (mostly) due to a literal fight. In bodybuilding, judges decide who wins and the competitors cannot affect the other athletes’ outcomes. They can only focus on themselves. It’s this vital difference that makes Moore find trash talk in bodybuilding a joke.
“When I see it [trash talk] I just really can shake my head because being a fighter, a former boxer. Even when we talk trash we can go in and – well we were fighting,” Patrick Moore states in our interview. He continues: ”
We were literally trying to knock each other out. And when it was over we would shake hands, we’d go grab a bite to eat… bodybuilding we are on stage in underwear. And if you really break it down we are being judged by strangers… it’s a subjective sport… So the trash talking where we can’t ultimately do anything to the other person. Because of where I come from I can’t really draw a parallel.”
Patrick Moore admits that trash talk can help build excitement – but he believes that both fans and some athletes end up taking it too seriously. We all need to be aware of the social contract we sign with bodybuilding personas. What is said between athletes on social media should not be considered gospel. Most of the time, the athlete are perfectly friendly in real life.
“I mean I think it has its place. As long as the fans understand when we see each other, we’re cool… if you understand how sports work sometimes. Words can get heated but that’s all it is.”
Ultimately, Patrick Moore would rather focusing on confidence rather than trash talk. He has no qualms stating when he thinks he is better than other competitors. He doesn’t see that as trash talk – just confidence in the work he’s put into himself. While some might take it personally – Moore would rather not take too much energy commenting back and forth. He sees that energy best placed into his training and diet and focus to win the show.
That being said, he has been pulled into a few trading of barbs in the past. We’re all human – but he almost always walks away from it with nothing personal held against the other person. It’s all part of the heated energy leading up to the show. It’s not real life. The real work happens in the gym, the kitchen, and on the stage.
You can watch Patrick Moore’s full comments in our latest GI Exclusive interview segment above!
Bodybuilder Rhonda Lee Quaresma Has Passed Away At 52 Years Old
Rhonda Lee Quaresma has died after a three-year battle with colon cancer.
Former IFBB professional bodybuilder Rhonda Lee Quaresma has passed away at the age of 52. The Women’s Physique competitor was battling colon cancer for three years.
The news was announced on Saturday as a close friend shared a post on Quaresma’s personal Instagram page.
“My dearest friend of 30 years died last evening after a 3 year battle with colon cancer.She spent the last few years living in California and simply loved it, but she was as Canadian as theycome. Her father was Native Canadian and her mother’s side lived in Canada for generations.She was half Ojibway and half English. The exterior of Rhonda was always shiny and I don’t think she would object to the word flamboyant, but the inside was soft, gentle, kind and intuitive. She touched so many people with her kindness and she had this intrinsic ability to see people, really see them and she took the time to understand them. It made for a great friend.
One that I am blessed to have had for somany years.
RIP my sweet [email protected]”
Rhonda Lee Quaresma began her bodybuilding career back in 1989. She won first place in her first competition during the 1989 Kingston Open in the lightweight division. She earned her pro card after winning the 1995 Miss Canada competition in the Canadian Nationals at Level 4. This allowed Quaresma to make her IFBB debut, which came in 1998.
Quaresma finished 13th in her IFBB debut during the 1998 Jan Tana Classic. She would go onto compete in four other shows throughout her career. Her final appearance cane during the 2016 Ferrigno Legacy. Following this competition, Quaresma announced her retirement from bodybuilding but did not leave the lifestyle.
After her retirement, Quaresma continued to work as a personal trainer. She gained a passion for fitness and bodybuilding early in life and it is something she continued following her retirement. Quaresma lived in Los Angeles where she was certified by the Professional Personal Trainer’s Association.
Rhonda Lee Quaresma retired from bodybuilding to focus on her health. She opened up publicly about her battle with colon cancer in 2020 on her YouTube page.
Quaresma continued to be an inspiration in bodybuilding following her retirement. The entire Generation Iron staff sends condolences to friends and family of Rhonda Lee Quaresma during this tragic time.
2021 Bigman Weekend Pro Spain Results
Angel Calderon wins Men’s Bodybuilding at the 2021 Bigman Weekend Pro Spain!
The 2021 Bigman Weekend Pro Spain concluded on Sunday with 10 divisions handing out qualification to the 2022 Olympia. Alicante, Spain was the site for athletes from all over the world to show what they can do on stage.
The event was highlighted by the Men’s Open division where Angel Calderon took home first place. He was able to get the better of Emir Omeragic, who finished second and bronze-medal winner Dani Kaganovich. Other categories include Classic Physique, Men’s 212, Bikini, and Fitness.
The full results from the 2021 Bigman Weekend Pro Spain have been announced. There were a total of 10 golds handed out to give some competitors qualification for the biggest competition of the year. Checkout the full results from the show along with official score cards!
2021 Bigman Weekend Pro Spain: All Division Results
Men’s Bodybuilding: Angel Calderon
Men’s 212: Oleh Kryvyi
Classic Physique: Jose Mete Bueriberi
Men’s Physique: Alessandro Cavagnolo
Women’s Bodybuilding: Nadia Capotosto
Fitness: Minna Pajulahti
Figure: Tereza Linhartova
Bikini: Ivanna Escandar
Women’s Physique: Anne-Lorraine Mohn
Wellness: Juliana Esteso
2021 Bigman Weekend Pro Spain Breakdown
Men’s Bodybuilding
First Place – Angel Calderon
Second Place – Emir Omeragic
Third Place – Dani Kaganovich
Fourth Place – Mohammed Nsour
Fifth Place – Eduardo Rodriguez
Sixth Place – Morgan Aste
Men’s 212
First Place – Oleh Kryvyi
Second Place – Morteza Mashayekh Kordkola
Third Place – Naser Mohammed
Fourth Place -Daniel Sticco
Fifth Place – Samir Troudi
Sixth Place – Vladimir Iakolev
Classic Physique
First Place – Jose Mete Bueriberi
Second Place – Jesus Rodriguez Sendra
Third Place – Julian Castano
Fourth Place – Ayham Alaws
Fifth Place – German Pastor
Sixth Place – Ruben Lopez Reyes
Men’s Physique
First Place – Alessandro Cavagnolo
Second Place – Emile Walker
Third Place – Daniel Leone
Fourth Place – Jeffrey Darko
Fifth Place – Ammar Shlash
Sixth Place – Furkan Er
Women’s Bodybuilding
First Place – Nadia Capotosto
Second Place – Yesenia Garcia Speck
Third Place – Felicia Spatarescu
Fourth Place – Ivana Dvorakova
Fifth Place – Sonia Cabre Pasani
Sixth Place – Claudia Mocciaro
Fitness
First Place – Minna Pajulahti
Second Place – Giorgia Foroni
Third Place – Abbie Elsner
Fourth Place – Corrine Elizabeth Bean
Fifth Place – Susana Beatriz Cacavieli
Figure
First Place – Tereza Linhartova
Second Place -Gabriela Linhartova
Third Place – Annelios Charlotte
Fourth Place – Veronica Gallego Garcia
Fifth Place – Zulfiya Bityeva
Sixth Place – Isabel Vigo Smith
Bikini
First Place – Ivanna Escandar
Second Place – Ashley Kaltwasser
Third Place – Elisabet Vang
Fourth Place – Stine Hansen
Fifth Place – Rukiye Solak
Sixth Place – Tatiana Lanovenko
Women’s Physique
First Place – Anne-Lorraine Mohn
Second Place – Caroline Alves Dos Santos
Third Place – Mireia Henriquez
Fourth Place – Jeanette Johansson
Fifth Place – Alida Opre
Sixth Place – Jeannine Gross
Wellness
First Place – Juliana Estesto
Second Place – Leonida Ciobu
Third Place – Neride Garcia
Fourth Place – Michelle Capponi
Fifth Place – Figen Sahin
Sixth Place – Aysegui Besli
Generation Iron wishes to congratulate all the great athletes who earned a win at the 2021 Bigman Weekend Pro Spain. Make sure to check out our full IFBB Pro results page from this year and previous years right here to catch up on any action you may have missed!
Greg has covered the four major sports for six years and has been featured on sites such as Sports Illustrated, Fox Sports, SB Nation, NJ.com, and FanSided. Now, he is transitioning into the world of bodybuilding and strength sports.