Inside Bodybuilding With Guy Grundy (Jan. 2002)

Hey guy's, let's get straight into it. The feud between Craig Titus & King Kamali continues. Boys will be boys and these two guys are both good for the sport no matter which way you look at it. How did all this begin? King Kamali asked one of the editors what he should be doing to get more exposure in the magazines. The answer was given to him loud and clear; controversy gets the magazines attention and that's exactly what the King did by coming out with all guns blazing with his comments regarding West Coast bodybuilders and how he was going to take out the Pro Ironman on his pro debut. King didn't win but he sure impressed the crowd, judges and the magazines with his 3rd place at the show.
I was kicking it backstage with C.T. (Titus) & Chris Cormier at the Ironman; Craig is a cool guy and one of my best mates in bodybuilding. Craig is what many consider to be the model of the West Coast bodybuilder; blonde, good-looking and he knows how to have fun. C.T. took King's comments to heart and wasn't about to let Kamali walk on into his hometown without letting him know what he thought of King's comments. Craig is very up front and if you piss him off he is going to let you know it. So that's basically what happened at the Ironman. It was a little heated back backstage, but at no stage did it look like it was going to get out of hand. I think Craig shocked and scared King a little with his comments and aggressive attitude towards him. The funny thing to watch was Chris Cormier in the middle of all this. He is the most casual guy you have ever seen. All this is going on and Chris was just standing there in the middle of this and taking it all in with a smile on his face. The war of words betw
I spoke to Kamali backstage at the Ironman and he was a very cool guy with me. King is letting his body rest after a very successful 1st season as a pro and his next show looks to be the Olympia 2002. By placing in the top 10, King automatically qualifies for the Olympia next year. King has no problems packing on the weight after he competes and hopes to keep his weight between 290-300 hard off season pounds. King in the off season is a sight to behold. He is BIG.
Speaking of big, Lee Priest has signed up with Muscletech and relocated with his Canadian bride, Kathy to Lancaster in California. Lee has his sights set on the early season shows and will be looking for some strong showings after recovering from his earlier health problems. Lee is a great guy and very down to earth. I have appeared with most of the top guys and Lee is by far and away the most popular pro I have ever seen with the fans. Lee has a new hobby in stock car racing and is pretty good behind the wheel. He took 2nd in a recent race out of 16 competitors. Now I am sure there have been some strange sights on the raceway, but a 280lb Lee Priest getting into a stock car is pretty hard to beat.
Chris Cormier was not too impressed with some comments made about his Olympia placing by fellow pros, Dennis James, Nasser El Sonbaty and Markus Ruhl. These are the words he had for each of them in turn; to Dennis James he was quoted as saying "He is a shined up Ford Pinto," to Nasser "Nasser is a lil Gubby now in the pro ranks and needs to get his ass in shape and last but not least he needs to get all the oil out of his shoulders & biceps," and to Markus Ruhl "Cut out that alien of a stomach and to shave his cheeks." Chris is a man of few words, but when you show the Real Deal what he considers to be disrespect, look out. Chris plans on taking on all comers at the early season pro shows and making it a clean sweep. Chris has started his prep for the series of early season shows at the beginning of the New Year along with training partner Melvin Anthony, who will be going up against Chris at the Ironman & the Arnold Classic. Chris has also just bought himself a brand spanking new condo in Playa
One man to have made a huge impact at the Olympia is Jay Cutler. Jay was huge and in great condition at the Olympia and almost pulled of a victory over the seemingly unbeatable Ronnie Coleman. Jay along with Markus Ruhl failed the drug testing procedure. Why were they not disqualified from the competition? The reason being that the laboratory that does the drug testing for the Olympia somehow lost their Olympic recognition as a drug testing laboratory, the results were not official because of this. The end result was that Jay & Markus were not disqualified from the Olympia. Jay has his sights set on proving to one and all that he is a real threat in the pro ranks and he will be looking to prove this at the Arnold Classic in February. The drug testing will be implemented at the Arnold, but one would imagine they be using an official IOC drug testing lab from now on. The consensus from most of the pros is how will Jay look with the drug testing being official and whatever he used for the show out of hi
As everyone knows Flex Wheeler has now officially retired from competing. Flex has trimmed down to a very lean 220lbs or so and still looks in great condition. Having launched his own personal training business in Los Angeles, he looks a lot happier without the added bulk that he carried when he was competing. He will be releasing a book about his life in the very near future. One wishes Flex all the success in the world with his new venture.
Another retired bodybuilder in the personal training business is Aaron "Batman" Baker. Baker has a steady stream of clients and is never without a smile on his face along with his beautiful Australian wife, Sonya. They are an impressive looking couple to say the least. Aaron has recovered from his bicep tear earlier in the year and is in great condition at about 230lbs.
USA overall champion, Quincy Taylor has been a busy man. He has appeared in music videos and just signed up with MRM as their new spokesman. Taylor is now looking to make his pro debut at the Ironman. Quincy is big man standing 6' 3" and weighing in at 265lbs on stage, he will be a freaky site in the pro ranks.
Paul Dillet is still residing in Las Vegas and has been snapped up by SRA to promote their line of products. Dillet was at the Olympia on their behalf signing photos and meeting the fans. There is no word on when he will be back on stage. One hopes to see the big man on stage again very soon.
Another bodybuilder to have relocated to Venice, California is Jamo Nazzar, Jamo also has his own personal training business set up and will be looking to make an impact at this year's Ironman.
Well, that's it for this month. As a mate of the top bodybuilders and also as one of the big fans of the sport, I'd like to provide as much information as possible. See you all next month.