International Technician

Patrick Bernard

I was originally going to name this entry “Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Technician!” because these Brazilian guys are working their asses off and making me look good! However, after flipping through my passport, I was reminded that I have also worked with some great non-NPC athletes with really killer physiques throughout the entire year.

The international scene earlier this year began with Patrick Bernard finally winning his pro card in Canada. I call him “La Machine” because he will do whatever it takes to come top is best. If I said jump, the machine would say, “How high”? He has been second in his class a couple times and first in class two times. Regardless of his placing, in each of those shows, he has been capable of getting a pro card.

This year, Patrick came into his pro qualifier with a great package; very hard without being flat or small and as full as he has ever been. The result; he is now a pro and setting his sights on a 212 pro show. The irony is that Eduardo Correa and Probiotica had invited me down to Brazil the same weekend as Patrick’s show. That meant this would be the first time I had not been at Patrick’s show in years. When I found out I could not make it to Patrick’s show, I told him “You watch, this time you will win and I won’t get to be there.” That’s exactly what happened. Patrick’s physique was much like a Junior version of Gary Strydom with his square delts and crazy quads.

Fernando Maradona

The same July weekend as Patrick’s show, I was watching Fernando Maradona win the open class held with the Rio Sports Festival. Maradona has had a crazy year. Just a couple years ago he was 10th and 13th at the amateur worlds before really hitting his stride this year. After winning in Rio, he came into Dallas looking technician retarded. That’s the best way to describe his shape at that show. No one has really ever heard of him so to place second was a great accomplishment. It was as if he came out of nowhere. People were stunned when Fernando arrived on the scene. When people would ask me where he was from, I use to joke “Well he is Eduardo’s cousin. Eduardo can’t make the weight for the 202 class so he sent me his cousin to fill in.”

Fernando Maradona

After Dallas, Maradona headed for the Olympia which was admittedly a technician flop. To start, he had a terrible time making the weight class in Dallas. For the 202 showdown in Vegas, it was even harder. I knew from the previous year that if a competitor didn’t make weight, there would be absolutely no opportunity to get a second weigh in. So, with an hour to go and Maradona over weight by a one and a half pounds, I rolled the dice and took an extreme measure for him to make the weight class. He did. Disqualification was averted. However, the unfortunate tradeoff is that he came in flat as a pancake.

The same weekend, Maradona came to my room and said “Let’s try 212 in Sacramento.” I jumped at the idea and corrected him “ Yes. And lets win it!” Although he came up short, I have included pics of Fernando at 214 the day before the show so you can see what he really brought! ( the lighting at this show was really poor). He packed exactly 10 pounds more than Dallas and his conditioning speaks for itself.

Eduardo Correa

Eduardo Correa

That brings me to Correa. He skipped the 202 showdown this year mainly because he has an injury that hampered previous preps. He wanted to finally take care of it once and for all. I think Correa has really come to personify what it means to be “sliced.” He is like a modern day Munzer with striations absolutely all over the place. As great as his conditioning is, I think Eduardo’s number one asset is his mind. He is focused. Relaxed. He knows what he wants and works crazy hard to get it. He has a killer company - Probiotica- in his corner and his distance from the bodybuilding world allows him to train without the mental distractions of “who looks like what.” He is gearing up now for an open show. I will say this…. Ok, I won’t say anything. I think Eduardo can say what he wants to say with the package he expects to bring to a future show.

Luiz Felipe Marinho

I didn’t want to leave out Luiz Felipe Marinho yet another Brazilian I worked with this year. However, he never made it to the stage due to an injury just 2 weeks out from a 202 show. When you see him, Correa and Maradona, you’ll understand that there really is something to be said for great genetics.

Gilbert Cushieri
Mediterranean Championships '11

Wrapping up my international calendar this year is Malta’s Gilbert Cuschieri who notched 4th at the recent Mediterranean Championships. Gilbert added size this year and came into his show dense, full and very hard. I think he could be dangerous as a 212 guy simply based on the fact that he can bring super condition and has a really small waist. Right now, he may be getting looked over a bit, but with a little more size on the right frame- which he has- it will appear as though he will have added a significant amount of muscle.

I have enjoyed this entire year working with such a great group of athletes who are extremely disciplined and committed.

Gilbert Cushieri