Hardcore takes a whole new dimension when training in the gym where Vega Lumere has for the past 3 years. The 5'9", 195 lbs., 21 year old Congolian bodybuilder says he's more than 100% natural having not even used any supplements. Vega says, "All of us here just train hard. The vitamins are just too expensive. And, we make our own equipment. We love bodybuilding, here. We make it work." Vega is training for his first competition next season.

Just 22 years old, Kansas City jock Dont'e Franklin won the Musclemania® Mid America HW Open last Saturday. At 6', 198 lbs., the former high school football star says he started bodybuilding only 8 months ago and already developed incredible muscle mass and thickness. With 20" arms and an upper body to match, Dont'e says he's been hammering his legs. "I want to get everything symmetrical by Las Vegas," Dont'e says. "I know my weaknesses and they won't be in 3 months." Mid America show results and photos will be posted soon.

Model Universe star Tyler Mc Peak (C), MM Pro Matt liller (R) and friend Ben Bowles (L) caught a workout in Nashville yesterday. Tyler will appear on the cover of Natural Muscle next month. Matt just graduated law school and will soon begin working at a West Virginia law firm. He also plans to take the stage again next season.

With 3 months before MM World Pro in Las Vegas, MM Pro Larry Camacho is already lean. But the 5'7", 180 lbs., 26 year old says he hasn't even started his competition phase. "Next week, I will increase my protein with a lot more fish and chicken," Larry explains. "I want to gain muscle even though its contest time. I did it 5 years ago when I won MM Junior, so I am going back to what worked then."

Model Space City Champion is first time competitor Lance Sepluvado, a 21 year old, Texas college senor finance majoring. The 5'10", 175 pounder started weight training just 6 months before the show loosing 35 lbs. and gaining muscle. Lance says his next stop will be Model America in Las Vegas. He says, "Yeah, I'm planning to make the trip as a graduation gift to myself." - www.fitnessamerica.com

Model New York Champion Maik Wiedenbach continues to amaze people as his physique evolves from being a competitive swimmer into a structured sports model and natural bodybuilder. The 6'2", 236 lbs., 37 year old trainer, who is featured here in an impressive shot by photographer Gregory James, has appeared in over a dozen magazines in the past year. But, he says, "I really enjoy prepping clients for their own competitions." The former German athlete enjoys spending time with his daughter and getting settled in at New York University as an adjunct professor.

Italian sports model Gabriele Belmonte has always been a popular competitor at Model Universe shows and was a Top 10 Finalist in Miami Beach in June. The 5'7", 175 lbs., 28 year old continues to make his mark on the Italian fashion and sports model scene years ago. But, now the personal trainer wants to change his physique, develop more muscle mass and start competing in Musclemania. "I keep getting a lot of people telling me to that I have good genetics and should be a bodybuilder," Gabriele explains. "I did not want to loose my shape, so I never did it before, but I keep develop more muscle every year. So, maybe now is the right time." Gabriele says he will take off the rest of the season and work on a bodybuilder regimen and prepare for next season.

Musclemania Pro Larry Camacho just announced that he will be making a special guest appearance at MM Central America in Guatemala City, September 21. Larry will host a free MM Star Seminar before the show for all competitors and ticket holders. Since winning the 2010 MM Universe MW Class, the 5'8", 185 lbs., 26 year old lifetime natural star has become legendary in Latin America because of his aesthetic, lean and powerful physique. Larry will host a free MM Star Seminar before the show. - www.musclemanialatino.com

MM Pro Uluisses Jr. looked thick and lean after his workout this week. The 5'10", 215 lbs., Reebok sponsored London trainer is training for MM World in Las Vegas. Ulisses and fellow MM Pro'sSimeon Panda and Ty Ogedegbe will all make special guest appearances at MM Britain on September 14 in London. www.musclemania.co.uk

Just 20 years of age, Alex Rendon has trained for 3 years and developed an incredible natural and classically symmetrical physique. At 5'8", 180 lbs., the Colombian works as an entertainment DJ by night and trains by day. Alex say's his goal is to compete for the first time in November.

French natural bodybuilder Greg Vong is in incredible shape for the summer season. The 5'8", 180 lbs., 32 year old trainer competed at the '12 Musclemania® Universe and is now preparing for MM Paris in October. With this kind of shape, he'll be tough to beat! www.musclemania.eu

Musclemania Japan star Akinobu Nagae proved to be one of the most popular bodybuilders and models at last month Fitness Universe Weekend in Miami Beach. The 5'10", 180 lbs., 32 year old personal trainer and sports model is legendary in the Land of the Rising Sun but only recently began to make his mark on the US natural bodybuilding and sporting modeling scene. His next show will be at Musclemania World in Las Vegas in November.

Fitness Europe in Rome last month featured the best natural fitness athletes on the continent. Champions included Simeon Panda, England (Musclemania® Open), Ovidiu Voicu (Musclemania® Junior), Sarah Hoey, Germany (Ms. Bikini™ Short), Minna Ronkonen, Finland (Ms. Bikini™ Tall), Elsa Hirvonen, Finald & Kamal Kamall, Italy (Model Women & Men) and Ana Zujovic, Finland (Fitness). www.fitnessuniverse.eu

New MM Universe Champion Julian Navarro looked insane in the gym two weeks before the show! At 5'8", 185 lbs., the 22 year old junior shocked the world of bodybuilding with one of the most amazing natural physiques seen on a junior ever before. Now the Philadelphia college senior says he's maintain his condition as best possible for guest appearances at MM Superbody, New York and America this fall.

'13 MM Europe Junior Champion Ovidiu Voicu is 3 months away from MM Paris. The 5'6", 175 lbs., 22 year old Romanian college student has added 20 lbs. of muscle in the past 18 months and hopes to bring a changed physique once again. www.musclemania.eu

Musclemania Pro Chul Soon shot a new Korea cell phone commercial this week. The 5'10", 195 lbs. Korean media star is maintain solid body condition throughout the off-season so he can appear in commercials, television shows, magazines and promotional shoots. Chul is also training to compete at MM World Pro in Las Vegas in November.

Musclemania Pro Samuel Dixon may have not placed at the recent MM Universe in Miami Beach, but the 6'1", 230 lbs. Canadian heavyweight says, "I am not taking any time off. I am aiming to explode in Vegas! The Miami did not really reflect the kind of physique I am capable of achieving. I plan on starting my prep earlier to come in shredded!" Sam will also be making a guest appearance at MM Canada in Montreal on October 19.