Muscle Gossip #17: The Uncertain Future of the Mens 202 Class?

I think there is no question that the Men 202 Division has been huge success as far as interest, competition, and popularity goes. There have been many shows that I attended last year where the 202 portion of the show was the premier event. When asked, I'm sure most of the athletes consider the division to be a success, as well. That is, with the exception of one small item. When it comes to prize money and potential sponsorship dollars, there's still a huge disparity from the Open division to the 202. Unfortunately for the 202 Division, these last two reasons may cause some top 202 bodybuilders to move into the Open division in 2011.

Top IFBB Pro 202lb bodybuilder Jose Raymond says, "This past December my two-year contract with MuscleTech ended. So I've begun reaching out to companies and the first thing they ask me is whether I'm a 202 or an Open guy. I don't even see why that matters. If I'm a good bodybuilder, that's all they should consider. If I'm a good representative of myself, the sport, and the company, then that's all that should matter."

MuscleTech went from sponsoring three of the top-5 202lb bodybuilders in the world to having no one by December 2010. Not only did they cut Raymond, they also cut 202 Olympia Champs David Henry and Kevin English. Of the remaining two, Jason Arntz and Eduardo Correa, only Correa has a contract (with Probiotica). That means that less than 30% of the entire 202 Olympia line-up has sponsorship contracts. And I believe that Kevin English is the only 202 athlete that has a magazine contract.

As of 2011, Eduardo Correa is no longer competing as a 202lb bodybuilder. His contest prep coach, Chris "The Technician" Aceto says, "Eduardo still hasn't decided which show he will start the 2011 season off with, but it definitely won't be a 202 contest."

Correa is already qualified for this year's 202 Olympia (because of placing third in 2010), When I asked Acetor if Correa planned to be back at the 202 Olympia in September. His answer was, "No, definitely not."

Jose Raymond is also going to try his hand at a few Open shows this year. He explained to me that without a sponsor he literally has to win a 202 show to break even because of the extreme cost of competing. At most of the 202 shows, the first place prize money is $3,000.

I have also heard the rumor that both Kevin English and David Henry will be entering Open shows throughout the year. When I spoke to Jason Arntz early today, he said that he "wouldn't rule out the possibilities" of entering an open event this year as well.

Could we end up seeing the entire top-5 202 Olympia lineup switch back into the Open division at various shows throughout the year? I realize the 202 division is still relatively new, but as a fan, I hope to see this great new division flourish in 2011. I also hope to see more supplement companies signing these top guys to paying contracts.

On a more positive note, Flex Lewis, who's under contract with Gaspari Nutrition, says he'll be back in action at the British Grand Prix 202 in mid-March of this year. That event boasts $20,000 in prize money for the 202 Class, alone.

En même temps prendre le risque pour certains de passer en Open sans pouvoir faire de bons classements, c'est p-e pas la solution non plus.
Sauf si ils cherchent juste le sponsoring à tout prix.

L'argent, tjrs l'argent..

seul david henri était capable de se placer en open les autres l'orsqu'il ont tenté à l'époque kevin english par exemple n'a jamais fait que des fonds de classement ... Quand on voit le misérabilisme de leur prime en 202 et la galére pour avoir un sponsor je trouve cela justifié quelque part. Le top serai que la catégorie soit déserté ou réellement revalorisé !

Le meilleur serait qu'elle soit mieux valorisée, quand on voit les primes 202 à O' comparées à celles du nouveau bikini, c'est pas fort différent !

Sinon passer en Open est pour moi une très mauvaise idée, ça risque pas de les aider.

MetzgerMeister a écrit:

Le meilleur serait qu'elle soit mieux valorisée, quand on voit les primes 202 à O' comparées à celles du nouveau bikini, c'est pas fort différent !

Sinon passer en Open est pour moi une très mauvaise idée, ça risque pas de les aider.

ouais mais pour faire bikini ca pas trop le même boulot .. et puis une bikini elle risque plus d'avoir des contrats magazine , notament, qu'un 202

il touche quoi en moins de 202 a olympia ?

olympia miss bikini => 15 000$
olympia Miss O => 60 000$
olympia figure => 60 000$
olympia fitness => 60 000$

olympia 202 => 20 000$

olympia open => $600,000

c'est bon de se sentir consideré

Les 202 ont qu'à faire comme les bikinis pour voir de meilleurs primes, contrats et mags...













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Enfin, moi j'dis ça j'dis rien

thejpman a écrit:

olympia miss bikini => 15 000$
olympia Miss O => 60 000$
olympia figure => 60 000$
olympia fitness => 60 000$

olympia 202 => 20 000$

olympia open => $600,000

c'est bon de se sentir consideré

j'hallucine l'arnaque

olympia en 2009 c'etait 200 000 $ pour le vainqueur, la mise a triplée quoi

boo sa vas pour s'exiber en string sur une scéne le corp huillé ces largement suffisant

quand tu voit que les world strongest man le vainquer prend que 40 000 $

MetzgerMeister a écrit:

Les 202 ont qu'à faire comme les bikinis pour voir de meilleurs primes, contrats et mags...

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Enfin, moi j'dis ça j'dis rien

Ben justement ,moi non plus je dis rien .