Kai Greene is the 2011 IFBB New York Pro champion. Greene’s one-two punch of freaky mass and striations was just too much for the rest of the lineup to contend with as he cruised to his second NYP title. Bouncing back from his seventh-place finish at last year’s Olympia, Greene’s commanding performance tonight has re-established the two-time Arnold Classic champ as one of the top threats to win this September’s Mr. Olympia.
For Greene, a native of Brooklyn, it was a homecoming as the Tribecca Performing Arts Center is where he won his pro card at the 2004 NPC Team Universe (heavyweight and overall) and also, where he made his pro debut the following year at this show (14th place). Following a DNP in ’06, it wasn’t until the ’07 New York Pro that Greene made his mark in the IFBB Pro League, jumping up to sixth place and, in the process, setting up his first pro victory three weeks later at the Colorado Pro. He returned here in 2008 to win the New York Pro.
Ronny Rockel finished ahead of a superbly conditioned Craig Richardson based on his overall thickness and proportions. France’s Lionel Beyeke is a diamond in the rough and with his fourth-place finish here, served notice that he’s one to watch in the near future. Robert Burneika came in his best-ever condition to grab the fifth spot in his pro debut. The top five qualify for the 2011 Mr. Olympia this September 17-18 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
In the 202 division, Jose Raymond squeezed past Flex Lewis in a true nail-biter to take his first 202 title of the year. The two were fairly even in terms of condition but in the end, Raymond’s muscle maturity and thick grainy look got the nod over Lewis’ classic lines and shape. Veteran Marvin Ward – who, standing solo, could be a potential Mr. Olympia – finished in third. The top three qualify for the 2011 Olympia 202 Showdown.
With her successful title defense, Cheryl Brown is now three-for-three in 2011. Brown added her second New York Pro title to go along with the Europa Show of Champions and Pittsburgh Pro contests she won earlier this year. Heather Dees and Larissa Reis finished in second and third, respectively. All three qualify for the 2011 Figure Olympia.
In bikini, Ali Rosen strutted her way to the second victory of her pro career. In 2010, Rosen won the Jacksonville Pro one week after earning her pro card at the NPC USA. The runner-up position went to Abbie Burrows while last year’s New York Pro winner, Missy Coles, finished third. The top three qualify for this year’s Bikini Olympia.
