I just got back from the 2009 NPC Nationals Bodybuilding (and Figure and Bikini) Championship which was held in Hollywood, Florida – just south of Ft. Lauderdale for those geographically inquisitive among you.
Hollywood, FL
Although I do often go to shows for fun, I was on a mission this time around – a mission to help my client, Paris Pippillion, kick some serious butt in the Middleweight division.
My specific goal for Paris was to crack the top five, which would solidify him as one of the best Middleweights in the country. After finding out there were 48 competitors in the Middleweight division alone, I honestly would not have been too disappointed with the top 10. But when it comes down to it, all I ever hope for as a competitor or ‘coach’ is to be placed fairly…whatever place that may be.
The trip started and ended with some good…and some bad.
Trip Summary Part 1
Good: I was able to get Paris down from 182.5 on Wednesday morning to 174.5 by weigh-ins Thursday evening so that he could make the 176 1/4 pound limit for the Middleweight class.
Coast to coast traveling
Bad: I had to do the above on the phone from across the country as I was getting bumped and rerouted on flights to work my way from San Francisco to Ft Lauderdale where Paris was waiting. (Somehow I ended up in Philadelphia for a few hours, but that’s another story.)
After getting in about 1:00am Friday morning I was able to finally check out Paris’ condition in person…and he looked AWESOME! Without a doubt his absolute best ever!
After making weight I bumped up his carbs quite a bit and his water a little so that he could ‘fill out’ a bit and get (basically) bigger or fuller as we call it. Yet he had to remain ‘dry’ looking as well to maintain the extreme cuts and definition he’d worked so hard to achieve.
We certainly hit the nail on the head! Paris filled out nicely for Friday night’s prejudging and maintained that crisp, dry look. In fact, he was even a tad drier Friday night during prejudging that when I first saw him a few hours after weigh-ins.
As the middleweights filed out in groups of ten, it was apparent that this was a TOUGH class, the toughest in the show by most accounts. But it was also apparent that Paris looked incredible and was certainly holding his own with the best in the country. In fact, I don’t think ANYONE was leaner and more ripped top to bottom and front to (especially) back than Paris.
After round one of prejudging they narrowed the group down to the top 15. I was running back to my seat from a quick potty break while half listening as they announced the numbers of the competitors who would come back out on stage as part of the top 15. I was barely paying attention, because I had no doubt Paris was in the top 15 – none at all.
Well, as you might be imagining by now, Paris was NOT called out as part of the top 15. I was literally in shock! Don’t get me wrong, Paris’ physique isn’t absolutely perfect, and I don’t think he should’ve won, but it never crossed my mind that he would not get in the top 10, much less the top 15.
Trip Summary Part 2
Good: Paris looked his absolute best and most shredded ever – striated glutes and all!
Bad: Failed to make the top 15 (?!)
Now before you think I’m totally bashing on the judges, let me clarify that I’m not. They do the best they can to judge 48 people as quickly as possible. (Keep in mind there were 500 competitors in the entire show…that’s a LOT of bodies to judge!) My only concern is that the judging is simply too rushed due to the large number of competitors. I don’t have a clear and simply solution to resolve this, but I do think something should be done to give the judges more time.
Here are a couple pics of Paris taken right after he weighed in. Although he had only eaten enough that day to appease a cracked-out waif model, as you can see Paris’ still looked damn good even at his smallest and flattest – before we carbed him up.
Paris Pippillion front double biceps pose at 2009 NPC Nationals
Paris Pippillion rear double biceps at 2009 NPC Nationals
Here are a couple of stage pics of Paris (3rd from right) before he was eliminated. FYI the guy to Paris’ right took 3rd Place! (And Paris wasn’t even top 15?!)
Paris more than holding his own on stage
Pippillion looking ripped!
To see more photos from the event go to Muscular Development and/or RxMuscle.
If you peruse through the top 15 of the middleweight class, you’ll find quite a few guys that don’t look like they should’ve been ahead of Paris. But then again I’m biased – after all I’ve been Paris’ trainer and nutritionist for 10 years now and we’ve become very, very good friends. I affectionately call him my “black brother.” 
Although we’re both disappointed, we’ve done a good job (especially Paris who has had a GREAT attitude) of keeping things in perspective and learning from the event. Rest assured, Paris WILL be back!
Dr Clay
PS I want to congratulate (and thank) Paris for working harding than ever this year and looking his absolute best! And a BIG congratulations to all of the class winners at the 2009 NPC Nationals – each of whom earned their IFBB Pro Card. To win a show this tough one hell of an accomplishment!
