Wings of Strength Chicago 2018 - results

Author: František Randáček

Bodybuilding / Fitness Competitions Wings of Strength Chicago

08.07.2018

5 minut čtení

In Chicago, USA, more precisely in the multifunctional complex Tinley Park Convention Center, another year of the Wings of Strength Chicago competition took place over the past two days.
It, like the Canadian Vencouver Pro, was designed for both male professional categories, i.e. for representatives of the OPEN category as well as for their lighter colleagues from the division up to 212 pounds.

OPEN CATEGORY:

A total of 16 competitors took the stage for the competition, with the biggest favorite to win long before the event being the son of 1967, 1968 and 1969 Mr. Olympia titleholder Sergio Oliva Sergio Oliva Jr.

While Sergio presented a slightly more powerful presence on stage than he did in his pro debut at the 2017 New York Pro, where he walked away as the winner, the lack of muscle development in his back and pecs was all the more evident.
Add to that Sergio's lack of final preparation and he must expect to find an equal, if not better prepared opponent on the podium! And so it happened!

A very equal opponent was Michael Lockett! He too has his weaknesses, the biggest being weaker muscular development of the lower half of the body, but here it was much less noticeable in contrast to Sergio's form.

Michael Lockett, whose final preparedness was the best across the entire starting field, was perhaps surprisingly, but certainly deservedly, the winner.

As the above shows, Sergio Oliva Jr. had to settle for second place. He will have to fight for his dream start at Mr. Olympia somewhere else.

Third place here went to the mighty Luis Rodriguez. He offered big, full, round and hard muscles here, but they lacked a certain sharpness. According to many, if he came in sharper, he could have bested the favored Oliva Jr.

Fourth place went to Sergey Kulaev in his debut start among the elite. His asset was mainly his lateral stances, during which he looked more powerful than he actually is. The front stances were not bad either, although he didn't look so massive anymore.
On the other hand, his weakness appeared to be his back stances, where he showed a lack of muscle development in his back.

The top five were rounded out by a decently prepared Brad Rowe.

A disappointing performance was certainly that of Jonathan Delarosa, who had to settle for tenth place.

RESULTS:

1. Michael Lockett- qualified for Mr. Olympia 2018
2. Sergio Oliva Jr.
3. Luis Rodriguez
4. Sergey Kulaev
5. Brad Rowe
6. Kevin Jordan
7. Keith Williams
8. Matt Kouba

9. Seth Shaw
10. Jonathan Delarosa
11. James Culberson
12. Derek Upshaw
13. Lionel Brown
14. Marc-Arthur Dautruchee
15. Igor Gostyunin
16. Jon Andersen

VIDEOGALLERY:

SEMIFINAL COMPARISONS

SERGIO OLIVA Jr. .- FREE LINEUP

PHOTOGALLERY:

MICHEAL LOCKETT

SERGIO OLIVA Jr.

LUIS RODRIGUEZ

SERGEY KULAEV

BRAD ROWE

Other competitors

CATEGORIES UP TO 212 POUNDS:

In the category up to 212 pounds there were a total of 17 fighters, unfortunately none of whom represented the top of the current scene. The only exception was the veteran Craig Richardson, who from his first moments on stage was clearly on his way to triumph.

The announcement of the results did not offer any surprises, and so it was Craig Richardson who deservedly became the winner.
Not only a very nice physique but also a very good preparation led him to the triumph.
It should be noted, however, that in a more strongly represented starting field he would certainly not have won so convincingly, if at all.

In one of the post-competition interviews Craig even said that this was most likely the last competition of his career. According to him, as he got older, his preparation was costing him more and more time, to the detriment of his family. His children have grown up right in front of his eyes and he has not enjoyed their childhood very much, which he does not want to let happen in the case of his grandchildren.

Thus, although he has already qualified for his seventh Olympia, we will probably not see him on stage, not only at this prestigious event. In the same breath, he adds "Never say never!"

Caleb Blanchard, in the form of his life, finished second.

Third place went to Fernando Noronha.

Fourth place went to Lloyd Dollar, formerly a heavyweight. This time he was able to squeeze into the limit of this category, resulting in not only a lifetime form but also a lifetime result.

Adam Young was the last to make it into the top 5.

RESULTS:

1. Craig Richardson - qualified for Olympia 212 Showdown 2018
2. Caleb Blanchard
3. Fernando Noronha
4. Lloyd Dollar
5. Adam Young
6. Jean Carlos Alfaro Zapata
7. Jamal Elmadawy
8. Justin Randall
9. Martin Daniels

10. Cesar Quispe
11. Michael Ergas
12. Carlos Pinto
13. Derik Farnsworth
14. Rixio Tapia
15. Hameed Juma
16. Jorlan Vieira
16. Wayne Williams

VIDEOGALLERY:

SEMIFINAL COMPARISONS