Musclemania® Paris natural stars Bertrand Lim (c) and Medhi Daoud (r) training yesterday with a friend. Bertrand (5’6″, 170 lbs.) took 2nd at both MM Paris LW Class and MM World LW Class this season while Medhi (6’3″, 225 lbs.) won MM Paris HW.  It was there first competition and now they seem to be driven for more.  “Coming in 2nd Place and almost winning was an incredible experience,” Bertrand says.  “But, knowing it was just one point difference is really pushing me to be perfect next time.  I am training for more size on my arms and back.  It will be a different physique and result next time.”

Musclemania® Europe Junior Champion Ovi Diu already in top shape. “I’m at 80 kgs., (176 lbs.) and harder than ever,” he says. The 5’6″, 23 year old engineer is training for MM Universe and wants to be on stage at 85 kgs.  Ovi started training when he was 15 years old and did not compete until 2013. “I always loved lifting, everyday after school, all summer – I can’t live without it.  The longer I train, the better I am looking. My physique is taking a shape that I think is classic. It’s what I always wanted from bodybuilding.”

He’s been competing since he was 17 years old, but Jesus Villanueva plans to come into his own next season. The 5’11″, 190 lbs., 20 year old student has consistently added size and conditioned his muscle. “I’ve been eating a lot more disciplined and it shows,” Jesus says. “Supplements are expensive here in Mexico, so I focus more on eating right and it works.” Jesus will be in stage at Musclemania® Mexico in May

Ovi Diu says, “Motivated? I’m utterly f’ing obsessed. Motivation would be a step down! The 5’6″, 180 lbs., 22 year old, Musclemania® Europe Junior Champion is training for the fall contest season. Ovi has been training for 5 years and just started competing last season.  “I see that the longer I train, my condition is getting better,” he explains.  “The more I compete, the leaner I look after the show.  My weight isn’t changing much but the muscle size and shape is looking crazier. So, I rarely check the scale any more.”

’13 Musclemania® Mid America HW Champion Donte Franklin is tightening up for his guest appearance at the same show in Kansas City this season. The 6′, 210 lbs., 23 year old car salesman is packed with muscle and will compete at MM Superbody in Atlantic City on August 30. “I’ve been working on symmetry – calves and abs especially,” Donte says. “This year has really been a learning experience for me, especially on diet and conditioning.”

Last month, Musclemania® Pros (L-R) Simeon Panda, Sasho Ognenovski and Ulisses were together at the Muscle Camp Australia held at Sasho’s gym in Sydney. Simeon is training for MM World in Las Vegas in November while Sasho and Ulisses will flex off at MM Universe in Miami / Ft. Lauderdale in June.

Looking insane at 230 lbs., Musclemania® Pro Simeon Panda appears contest ready with a month to go. He says, "Good chest workout today. I am looking forward to my finger being 100% soon and excited about the next few weeks leading up to the Musclemania® Championships in Las Vegas. I can't wait to get even more shredded."

'13 Musclemania® Europe Junior Champion Ovidiu Voicu is so ready for MM World in Las Vegas. Since winning the show in June, the 5'6", 175 lbs., 22 year old college student has seemed to grow in thickness and density while keeping his weight the same. "I just kept eating clean but bumped my calories and matched it with cardio," Ovi says. "So, I am getting leaner and bigger and the same time." Ovi will take on the best junior natural bodybuilders in the world in Las Vegas next month.

He's never competed, but Alex Rendon is already getting a lot of attention. The 5'7", 185 lbs., 20 year old lifter was picked up by Met-Rx and appeared at recent, major Colombian sports fitness convention. "It was so weird to get all the attention from people," he admits. "I train in a small town and never before was in front of the public." Alex is training for Musclemania® Columbia next season and then MM Universe in Miami.

Musclemania® Pro and natural legend Ulisses says he's already beyond ready for MM World Pro in Las Vegas next month. At 5'10", he still hanging at 205 lbs., ripped and ready. "I kept my diet clean all year and cardio nearly everyday," Ulisses says. "So, I was able to eat nearly as much as I wanted. I am going to be so thick for this show and leaner than ever. Nothing's left to chance." Ulisses will face the biggest MM Pro line-up ever, so he's got to have his game down. MM will broadcast LIVE from Las Vegas on Saturday, November 23, 7 PM ET, 4 PM PT.

French natural star Greg Vong looked outstanding at the recent Musclemania® Paris. The 5'7", 176 lbs., 32 year old trainer didn't win but was among the crowd favorite with his thick muscle bellies, classic symmetry and lean condition. "I actually stay in shape all year, really never more than 6-7% bodyfat," Greg says. Greg is a media star in France, always popular on and off stage.

It is common opinion that Musclemania® Pro Ty Ogedegbe won MM Universe in June because of his condition. And, the 5'8", 200 lbs., London based trainer hasn't forgotten it. With two weeks before MM World in Las Vegas, Ty is already contest ready as seen in this lat spread shot taken last weekend. He says, "The gym is my jungle and I'm putting in work like a Lion! I'm paying extra focus on each and every angle of whatever muscle group I'm working on. Always pay attention to detail. I feel this is what separates your physique from everybody else."

He nearly won the '12 MM World Pro Champs and Antony Bessala says in two weeks he'll be back in Las Vegas for the kill! The 6'1", 215 lbs., French trainer is fuller, thicker and just as lean as last year. "I just stayed tight all season and worked on my weaknesses," explains Antony. Always the underdog, he brings to the stage a complete physique which catches the judges attention and easily overshadows most of the other taller bodybuilders in his height class.

Canadian natural star Samuel Dixon was looking impressive last week after a workout.. The 6'1", 220 lbs. MM Pro is aiming for MM World in Las Vegas where he promises to bring a whole new physique to the stage. "I got my game down for this show," Sam explains. "I'm on a new diet and focused on my arms and lats."

Musclemania Pro legend Ade Rai has turned natural bodybuilding into an illustrious commercial career and philanthropic work. At 5'11", 200 lbs., the Indonesian superstar recently appeared on the runway at the Jakarta Fashion Week (photo). Ade trains regularly with brother-in-law Ricky Syamsuri and is helping him prepare for MM World Pro.

MM Pro Ulisses Jr. announced he's training for Musclemania® Pro in Las Vegas next month. After a 2 year hiatus, the 5'10", 218 lbs., former MM Superbody Champion says he's on his game. "I've trained and added some quality muscle but kept it all lean, all season," Ulisses says. "This body's been hammered and its ready. Its showtime!"

Musclemania® Pro and '12 MM World Pro Champion Chul Soon says he's training more intense than ever. The 5'9", 195 lbs., 30 year old Korean superstar explains, "I got 6 weeks until Las Vegas. I have stayed in good shape all year and my weight never got higher than 200 lbs. But, I concentrated on my symmetry . . . arms and calves especially. I really want to be better than last year. Now I am training twice a day, 6 days a week. My diet is strict and lean." Chul is shaking up the MM Pros HW's with some already scared to take him on and are backing out of the show. It will be intense!

Musclemania® Universe Champion Julian Navarro was captured by famed muscle photographer Luis Rafael in Miami. Putting his training into cruise control since the June show, the 5'7", 175 lbs., 22 year old college student says he's back into the gym twice day and hitting it hard. "I got my food stocked in the freezer for the month, my sups lined-up and my school and work schedule all set," Julian says. "I want to have a new physique for next season."

Musclemania® Pros Ricky Syamsuri and Syed Fazli (L-R) were looking big lean in Bali, Indonesia last week. With over 10 years competing as MM Pros, both Asian stars are known for the classic symmetry and condition on stage. At 5'7", 185 lbs., Ricky has been training for MM World in Las Vegas next month and says nothing's going to stop him from winning the Pro LW Class.Musclemania® Pros RICKY SYAMSURI and SYED FAZLI (L-R) were looking big lean in Bali, Indonesia last week. With over 10 years competing as MM Pros, both Asian stars are known for the classic symmetry and condition on stage. At 5'7", 185 lbs., Ricky has been training for MM World in Las Vegas next month and says nothing's going to stop him from winning the Pro LW Class.

Musclemania® Pro Ty Ogedegbe continues to prove you should never underestimate the underdog. At MM Universe in Miami, the 5'8", 200 lbs. trainer knocked off a lot of MM Pro veterans in an upset victory and took home the overall title. Now, Ty is plotting his attack at MM World in Las Vegas next month. The British financial investment manager says, "I am staying real lean and tight but growing some good size where I need it. I know symmetry is my challenge and that's what I am working on." Some of the MM Pros who Ty took down are pouting and boycotting the show. Good thing because by all accounts they would have faced a even bigger threat on stage.