Honduran natural bodybuilder Jhonny Vasquez says he's ripped and ready for MM Universe in Miami. At 5'8", 180 lbs., the 28 year old gym owner and personal trainer has competed four times in Musclemania® shows and always as a Top 5 Finalist. Jhonny says, "I have worked hard on  my arms and lats which I know were keeping me from winning my class. Hopefully the judges see what I am seeing in the mirror." For more info in Spanish, visit www.musclemanialatino.com. Photography by Gustavo Valle.

Popular French sports model and natural bodybuilder Greg Vong will be making his MM debut at the Universe next month. The 5'8", 180 lbs. lifter has competed in a few local French shows but never on an international level. Blessed with incredible genetics, Greg says, "I have held on to my size but am getting leaner by the week. I had to wear my suit last week and it still fit me a little tight but I have been dieting for 6 weeks. So, although I am not checking the scale, I can tell in other ways that I am much better than last year. I hope I do well in America. I am so excited!"

Last weekend's Musclemania® Lone Star introduced two new natural giants including former NFL Kansas City Chiefs player David Hicks (R) who won MM and former professional basketball player JC Shivers (L) who won Model. At 6'7" and 6'8", both David and JC dominated the stage and will be competing at Fitness Universe Weekend in Miami next month.

Popular French sports model and natural bodybuilder Greg Vong will be making his MM debut at the Universe next month. The 5'8", 180 lbs. lifter has competed in a few local French shows but never on an international level.

MM Pro Genaro Alvarado, Mexico's #1 natural bodybuilder, has kicked in his off-season for MM World in Las Vegas. The 35 year old father of 3 is currently weighing 173 lbs. He says his training and diet is more intense than ever. "I just ordered a month's worth of beef and chicken, a bag of brown rice and a ton of supplements. I am eating 8 meals a day and I just started split routines with cardio in the morning. I don't want to get out of shape while I try to gain more muscle." Genaro won the '11 MM Pro LW title but lost the overall to HW Morris Mendez. "I want to win it this year," he said. "Those guys may weigh more than me, but my physique will be perfect this year. I want to give the judges every reason to give it to me."

At 5'9", 215 lbs., MM Pro Syed Fazli is looking more amazing than ever. The veteran and lifetime natural bodybuilder has flawless symmetry, impressive size and a classic poser. Everyone is waiting to see if he will return to the stage this season and meet MORRIS MENDEZ pose for pose.

As last year's MM Texas Junior Champion Chris Chigbou was a favorite at last weekend's MM Lone Star. He had registered and paid the entry fee. But, despite having one of the most amazing natural junior physiques anywhere, Chris was a no show and no one knew why or could reach him. Then, today we learned the absence.

According to Chris, "For those of you who were wondering how I did this weekend at Musclemania® Lonestar, I didn't even compete. I was attacked by two men in ninja attire, which left me slightly injured yet unable to pose properly. Despite the relentless efforts I made to try to continue, I was forced to sit out of this competition. Words cannot describe the absolute ANGUISH I feel about the situation. After weeks upon weeks of dieting, brutal training and exquisite outbursts of hunger rage, has it really come to this?! NOTHING TO SHOW FOR MY SUFFERING!!?? NOOOOOOOO!!!!!!"

Well, let's see if Chris makes it to MM Universe next month to challenge the Junior Division. Let's hope he doesn't get mugged by a bunch of Ms. Bikini babes on the way to the show.

MM Pro Jeff Beckham is aiming straight to MM Universe in Miami net month. Still weighing 235 lbs., the 6' PT and college student will shake up the HW Class (like he always does) and wants to take on new MM Pros like Roger Snipes and Griffen Datcher.

Kenyan bodybuilder Kevin Kimongoi continues his development as he prepares for MM Africa in Uganda. The 5'7", 185 lbs. security guard is getting leaner as he gains muscle. Kevin says, "I have been keeping my diet very clean, buying fruits, grains and live chickens at the markets every day." He has already gained 20 lbs. in the past year.

Natural trainer, college student and military schooled bodybuilder Eduardo Navarette is growing and still relatively conditioned as he prepares for MM South America in November. At 5'10", 228 lbs., the 26 year old Chilean wants to win and qualify for next year's MM Universe.

If you doubted whether Canadian natural superstar and MM Pro Dickens Lambert was really in contest mode, just read his lastest update sent today.

"Hardcore training for Musclemania in Miami. The lion will roar yet again! Roarrrrrr !!!!!!!! It's official: Impossible is nothing. I am going to Miami to rock the stage with my fellow Musclamania Pros. My family will be with me as always. We rock together forever! BIO3 style!"

Emmanual Lucero was a high school baseball hot shot and aiming to make into the big leagues. But a bicep tendon injury kept the 20 year old jock out of the MLB draft. Emmanual says, "That's when I moved on to bodybuilding and found a new love and passion." Last weekend, he competed at Model New Mexico landing in 3rd Place among 20+ competitors. "Competing on stage was one of the greatest experiences so far."

At 180 lbs., Emmanual is now training for Musclemania® & Model Universe in Miami next month. "This will be my first time competing in bodybuilding," he says. "I have a lot of people pulling for me and a great team at Iron Demons - Micheal Donathan, Jason Borrego, they have thought me a lot. But I'm not doing this for them. I'm doing it for myself. I have a lot of patience and I'm only 20 years, so I have lots of time to grow."

Preparing for MM Texas and MM America, Fred Smith keeps getting lean and heavier by the month. The 5'6", 185 lbs. retail clerk trains with his brother James Smith who will this weekend at MM Lone Star in Galveston, TX.

Jonathan Pateno is training again after a 3 month lay off. The 5'7", 200 lbs. former Mr. Philippines is in off-season mode before beginning his diet for MM World in November. Currently, Jonathan works as a PT in Kuwait and the trip to America will be his first. He is good friends with '10 MM World Champion Gerald Pangan who has encouraged him to compete at MM this season.

MM Pro Rico Elbaz back into hard core training as he prepares for MM Universe in Miami next month. The former Israeli commando has incredible mental and physical intensity and has bumped up his physique since his last show a few years ago.

Former Model Universe star Max Philisaire looks insane year round! The 5'10", 185 lbs. former US Army paratrooper is a celebrity PT in Los Angeles.

MM Pro Antwaun Smith says, "Let's do this . . . Miami - June 16th. It's going to be a fun weekend. I have a surprise." Antwaun will battle with other MM Pros including Morris Mendez, Dickens Lambert, Jeff Beckham, Rico Elbaz and many other natural heavyweights.

After a two year absence from competition, 24 year old Malcolm Sirmons will return to the stage next month at MM Universe in Miami. The 6', 205 lbs. college student and hospital orderly says he's added about 15 lbs. muscle and achieve a more mature muscle condition. And, with his classic symmetry, Malcolm will certainly be an audience favorite.

Just 18 years old, Mr. Junior Punjab Akif Shahid asked his father to sponsor him to compete at MM Universe Junior Division. So, the 5'8", 175 lbs. college engineering student applied for and got a US travel visa and will fly from Lahore, Pakistan to Miami, Florida next month.

New Mexico trainer Jason Borrego (l) says his training is on point for MM Universe in Miami next month. "Right now my Coach Michael Donathan (r) has taught me to keep the mind strong when trying to be the best. The body follows the mind. Without a strong mind the body will fall, even if the body is the strongest in the world. A life mishap can affect the mind easily if its weak." Jason will be among 400+ competitors vying for the biggest natural event of the spring season.

MM Pros Ulisses Jr., Antony Bessala and Dickens Lambert at the '11 MM World in Las Vegas.

'11 MM Britain Champion Roger Snipes will make his MM Pro debut next month at MM Universe in Miami. Having added over 10 lbs. of lean muscle, he has developed a new and incredibly thicker physique.

'11 MM America Junior Champion Corey Upton, one month from MM Universe at 6'2", 230 lbs., 22 years old.

MM Pro Morris Mendez guest posed at MM New England two weeks ago. Six weeks away from MM Universe, he stunned the audience!

Model South Africa Champions Peter Gaiser & Michelle Van Rooyen rocked the house last weekend in Cape Town. They will be members of Team South Africa competing at Model Universe next month in Miami.

HW natural Kwesi Keller is one month out from his MM debut in Miami. The 5'10", 220 lbs. lifter says, "I’m just starting to kick my cardio up a bit to tighten down and really pull out the definition. I've added 1 and 1/2 inches to my arms and 2 inches to my legs still using a heavy weight regimen while manipulating my carbohydrates and fats."

MM Pros Matt Liller (L) and Griffen Datcher III (R) judged MM New Mexico today at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Albuquerque. Both will be making their MM Pro debut next month at MM Universe in Miami.

They called him Big Sid, but the 5'10", 200 lbs., US Air Force flight scheduler has only competed for a year.Sid Lindsey is based in Germany and trains at the US Air Force Base Ramstein. As a high school athlete in South Carolina, he played varsity football, basketball and ran track. Sid says, "My short term goal is too win MM Universe LHW Open in Miami and long term is to become a MM Pro Champion." Sid used to train with new MM HW Kwesi Keller when he was also based in Germany. It will be a battle royale between these two amazing HW naturals when they make their MM debut in Miami next month.

With lats like a bat, novice natural bodybuilder James Smith doesn't look like he's only compete once before. Since competing at the '11 MM Texas, he's been on a mission training every day, eating religiously and keeping tight condition all season. Currently 5'10", 210 lbs., James is aiming to compete in the fall.

Musclemania® Texas Novice Champion Ezra Dew is in his last week preparing for MM Lone Star on May 19. He says, "Nine days out. It's leg day comes with a different objective each session. This was annihilation! It felt like a 22 caliber round was shot thru each muscle fiber! Ahhh, the pain is fueling me! Hard body! Nobody Works Harder!

He's never even been to a bodybuilding competition, but 17 year old Jamie Lopez is training like a mad man for MM Arizona Teenage Division on September 8. At 5'10", 154 lbs., he's been on his high school wrestling team for three seasons and a competitive bull rider (remember, Jaime lives in Arizona)! But, the 'A' student says he's not longer competing in either sport. "I want to gain weight and muscle, so I just can't keep wrestling and dropping my weight all the time," says Jaime. New photos and updates of his progress will be posted regular as the high school senor prepares for the show.

Chilean Natural Champion Eduardo Navarette continues his off-season training for MM South America in Argentina in November. The 26 year old university student says he been trying a new regimen and techniques. He explains, "I'm currently on the "Strenght + Hypertrophy" stage in which on one exercise I combine a series of between 1-5 reps with another with 6-12 reps, accordingly."

"My current weight is 235 pounds and my body fat is 12%. About my diet, what I can tell you know is that I'm focusing on short terms results in keeping lean mass during my bulking period. I don't want to go over 13% because that way when it comes to lower the amount of carbs I can train with a lot more intensity
and bring a quality physique with excellent definition to the stage."

Eduardo will represent Team Chile at MM South America and meet over 100 other of the continents best natural bodybuilders.

Still maintaining 100 kgs. (220 lbs.), Slovenian Ben Radic is back training hard core for MM Europe in October. He explains, "After one week of junk food and relaxation on the shores of Croatia, I'm back in the game with more motivation and power. After a long and cold winter, the weather was finally nice, so I had to spend some time by the water." The show will be Ben's first time every on stage, yet he is already attracting a lot of attention throughout Europe.

MM Pro Morris Mendez is switching from protein powders and weight gainers to whole meat - chicken, fish and red beef - as shifts from off-season to contest training. "I got 6 weeks before the Universe, so I want to keep my mass and I begin to diet," Morris says. "I have gained a lot of muscle since Vegas ('11 MM World) and need a lot of protein to keep it."

MM Pro David Whittaker continues training for his comeback this season. The goliath 6'3", 235 lbs. hasn't been on stage since winning the '07 MM World when it was at Universal Studios Hollywood. David has been keeping his size and shape literally under wraps but will make a special posing appearance at MM Orange County in two weeks. That should give everyone a sneak preview of what to expect on the MM Pro stage later this season.

One of Albuquerque's favorite sons Bobby Hinojos may have never won a Musclemania® show, but the 28 year old lifetime natural bodybuilder has become one of the country's most popular sports models. At 5'9", 195 lbs., he has taken to conditioning his physique and staying lean this season while aiming for MM America in Las Vegas in November . . . where he hopes to take home the LHW Class. More news about Bobby soon.

'10 MM America Junior Champion Wesley Chapman will making his to MM New Mexico this weekend at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Albuquerque. The 23 year old natural bodybuilder stunned everyone by winning the '10 MM New Mexico Open Division knocking off seasoned men competitors. On Saturday, he wants to repeat his performance and bring his 5'7", 175 lbs. physique to the stage. Wesley says, "The weight is the same, but the muscles are all new. Watch out!"

In a dank, malodorous building at the Soviet-built sports complex in central Kabul, Afghanistan, five young men in bikini bottoms grimaced and flexed their triceps on an octagonal stage in front of a couple hundred onlookers.

"Let's change the music," said a voice on a loudspeaker, and the crowd cheered as dance music started blasting from the speakers. The steely-faced competitors finally grinned, and shifted their poses.

This was the Mr. Afghanistan bodybuilding contest - Kabul City (East) regionals. The games were no small event: Four hundred and twenty challengers had shown up for this round alone; a lucky 27 of them would progress to the national competition in mid-May.

In a packed tent just outside, competitors for other weight divisions prepared themselves for the stage -- ripping off the last few bicep curls and coating their bodies up to their necks in a dark, claylike substance that gave their skin a sleek, uniform look. (The result, for the lighter-skinned athletes, was a bizarre turtleneck effect.)

"I was so small when I was a kid, so I always dreamed of being fit and strong," said a 23-year-old competitor named Namgialay, as he stood proudly with his first-place trophy for the 55-kilogram division. "I love doing this, it's my favorite sport. I've won this competition four of the last five years, but I'm still not ready for the international games yet. Maybe next year."

Bodybuilding has a long, prominent place in modern Afghan history. During the Soviet times, when international heroes like Arnold Schwarzenegger defined corporal prowess, weightlifting was one activity Afghans could use to defiantly challenge their Russian occupiers.

The activity did not come to a halt during the culturally dark 1990s, when the Taliban ruled Afghanistan. The events were just smaller, less jovial, and all the men were required to wear long pants.

"The Taliban used to come and laugh at us when we struck our poses," said Khyal Ahmad, a 28-year-old member of the national team who had come to watch, and even through a layer of clothing was obviously one of the strongest people at the gym. "After the Taliban left," he said, "the pants came off."

"Now we have more than 170 clubs in Kabul," said Khwaja Mohammad Fardin Abassi as he flexed a bicep through his blue tweed suit to punctuate the point.

Off to the side of the tent, a scrawny 16-year-old boy stood with some friends, staring at the muscular men around him.

"Aren't they so strong?" the boy, Habibullah Noori, marveled. "One day I want to be a champion, too. Everybody thinks Afghanistan is not strong, and not good at sports. I want to show the world."

Not everyone's ambitions were so high-minded.

"I truly believe the fundamentals of all sports is bodybuilding," Abassi said. "We've worked very hard at the federation to encourage young people to go to the gym: he can stay out of trouble, he'll be healthy, and he will always look good, and he will get a nice girlfriend. Even when he's wearing a shirt, he will impress the girls."

French natural sensation Greg Vong is looking crazy in this new photo as he prepares for MM Universe in 6 weeks. He says, "I really haven't gained much weight since last year, but I look a lot bigger and am already ripped." At 5'8", 182 lbs., Greg will be a favorite in the LHW Class.

Always an athletic person, Moe Hadary developed an impressive physique before serving in the Egyptian Army the past two years. Now, the 23 year old says he's back training his 6', 190 lbs. physique and will prepare for the Model Universe. Undecided which show, he says, "I am anxious to get on stage and start promoting myself." More news about Moe soon as he develops for the shows.

Just 22 years old, Salman Ahmad has been blowing away juniors in his native Pakistan. So much so that the 5'7", 176 lbs. university student says he's now training for MM World in Las Vegas where he wants to take on the world's best naturals. "I have done it all here, but I want to compete against juniors from everywhere," Salman says. He will be part of Team Pakistan which will include at least 5 other impressive natural bodybuilders.

Kenyan natural bodybuilder Kevin Ochieng continues developing his physique with improved size, symmetry and condition. The 5'7", 180 lbs. security guard is applying better nutrition to his diet, leaning out and conditioning muscles. At 27 years of age, Kevin hopes to compete at Musclemania® next year.

MM Pro Griffin Datcher III is getting bigger and leaner by the day. Here's his latest update as he prepares for his MM Pro debut in Miami.

"Getting in a quick back workout at my gym. While others are sleeping,I'm sweating. High calories and high intensity is what is fueling my body as I get ready for my pro debut in Miami. My weight is still holding at 270 and I don't plan on changing up the plan to much which is to stay full and lean. Dewayne and I will be getting together for a precontest workout soon. We will keep you posted. Until then, PUSH IT TO THE LIMIT!"

The Air Force crew from Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico will be competing in the upcoming MM New Mexico Championships next weekend at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Albuquerque. The team is led by Joe Sapikowski (2nd from the left) who competed in the MM New Mexico along with Antoine Washington (1st from left) in 2011. Both Antoine and Joe placed top 5 in their respected classes. This year the crew has grown and newcomers, Benjamin Daigre (2nd from right) and Destin Stark (far right) will be making their Novice debut. The team has been training together for 16 weeks and are eager to represent the military in the upcoming show.

Khalid Mohammad is a lifetime natural bodybuilder who owns a gym in a small Pakistani village. At 5'10", 190 lbs., he has won some local competitions and says he's wanted to compete in Musclemania for years but can't get a US visa. "I have tried three times and always get refused. Its so frustrating," Khalid says. He will apply again this year with hopes of traveling to Las Vegas for MM World.

MM Pro Genaro Alvarado says he won't be competing at MM Universe next month. "I just got too many bills and need to catch up," he says. The 5'4", 170 lbs. natural champion won the '11 MM World Pro LW loosing to Morris Mendez in the overall. Look forward to seeing Genaro back on stage again in Las Vegas in November.

New Mexico star Jason Borrego is slamming the weights training for MM Universe in Miami. Leaner and more symmetrical that his latest appearance at '11 MM World, he promised a new body on stage.

'11 MM New Mexico HW Champion Chris Wescott is still on deployment in Africa and continues creative training with limited base facilities. Here's his latest update:

"Hello humans! I been on the move for the past week, but I decided to give ya'll a quick update and include the world on one of my discussions I had on Facebook (www.facebook.com/wescottlife). Well training has been going well, but it took a pit stop a couple of weeks ago when playing basketball. I just got done doing 10 sets of deadlifts and 10 sets of chin ups, and I still had some energy left, so I decided to shoot some hoops with the fellas. This instantly turned into a bad idea. I jumped up for a rebound and landed on someone else's foot; this caused my ankle to totally take a crap on me and left me with a severe sprain. Nothing too serious, but I took some time off the gym to let it heal. So after the week, I decided to hop back in the gym because the military was flying me to a REAL base in Africa to get a new I.D card. Well the original plans were to go to the base and come right back; 12hr trip. So I didn't bring any clothes or toiletries with me, just a laptop and headphones. So as I was boarding the C-130, the logistics sergeant approached me and told me that I was staying for 2 days and then a day layover somewhere else. It was bittersweet news because I never been to one of the cities and I was excited, but at the same time, I didn't bring any food with me, lol. Sooooo, I ended up going on a food porn spree and ate everything in sight! Later on that night, I woke up and was vomitting EVERYWHERE, I must have eaten too many tacos! I ran some errands, threw up a couple of more times and was finally able to keep some beef jerky and gatorade down. I met up with my homeboi later on that night, felt better, ate some more food and prepped to fly out the next morning. Today I arrived at the city and MAN is it a change of pace from the country I am deployed to now! Big buildings, malls CARS! Hhhahahah, I pulled out $60, got a full body massage, a pair of Ray Bans, souvenirs, a couple of drinks and a full meal and STILL had money left over; needless to say, the economy is horrible here. The gang and I just went to dinner and I decided to splurge and order a lobster, but little did I know that the shell would just contain dust. The manager was nice and let us order something else. SO THATS THE UPDATE ON MY LIFE---Lets get into some training stuff. I wrote this post on Facebook after a couple of my friends told me that they run 2-3 miles before a workout. Stuff like this pisses me off, so I vented via social media. Here is goes (make sure to check out www.cwescott.com too :)-----------Roundtable Discussion: CARDIO BEFORE or AFTER WEIGHTS?!ALOT of people I talk to tell me how they run X miles before weight training and they are trying to build muscle/gain strength. Even if you are trying to lose weight, this method seems PREPOSTEROUS to me....why!?!?!?!? Carbohydrate (glycogen) is your body's primary and preferred energy source.....what sense does it make to DEPLETE your energy before you enter a grueling workout?! Do you ever hear of Mayweather or Vick running miles before a big game/fight?!---NO, because they wouldn't be able to give their all. Anyone who has been on a low carb diet and tried to lift weights knows that  the “perceived exertion” rates (how hard exercise feels) is higher. Personally, I have been doing cardio post workout for years and have been able to achieve PHENOMENAL conditioning (check the picture below because when your primary fuel source is in short supply, this forces your body to tap into its secondary or reserve energy source; body fat. Yes some may say that even after a cardio session you can lift weights because your liver stores extra glycogen, but why not just do it on a full tank of gas?! Thats like me draining out my gas tank before a big road trip. Well this is open for discussion, I would like to hear others opinions."

California lifter Robbert Gibbs sent this new shot with 7 weeks before MM Universe. Still hanging around 195 lbs., he may move up to the LHW Class for the first time in his competitive career. "I just keep getting leaner and and staying big," Rob said. "I don't know if if should sacrifice size."

As last year's MM Africa Champion, Ivan Byekwaso brought the prestige back to his home in Kampala. Hailed a hero, he dreams about competing at MM World like fellow if he can get a US visa. The 5'7", 175 lbs. part time bouncer and gym trainer at Buziga country resort gym, Ivan has also competed in many international bodybuilding events in Europe and Africa including Mr. Uganda for three consecutive years.