Joe Pietaro
Joe Pietaro Contributer
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by Joe Pietaro
05-30-2014
A Win at the 2014 IFBB Toronto Pro Will Go a Long Way
Not too often does finishing out of the top three at a bodybuilding contest garner much attention, but that was exactly the case for Lionel Beyeke at the 2011 New York Pro. The young Frenchman placed fourth in only his second show as a professional that night and there was a lot of buzz in the online forums asking just who was this guy that came out of nowhere and could have easily placed a spot or two higher, even being called a ‘mini Kai Greene,’ who was the eventual winner.
Business seemed to pick up for Beyeke after that, with a runner-up spot later that year at the Toronto Pro, a win at the 2012 FLEX Pro and making the pose down in his inaugural Arnold Classic. But even though Beyeke was successful, the constant criticism being bantered back and forth was his overall conditioning. His physique – while impressive and having symmetry – looked soft in certain areas.
Since then, there have been nights when he was on (second and third, respectively, at the 2013 Wings of Strength and Europa Supershow) and then others when he was off (11[SUP]th[/SUP] at the 2012 Arnold Classic Europe). In his only two Olympias, Beyeke was over matched and was lucky to squeak into the top-10.
In 2014, the 5’10”, 232-pounder has rebounded somewhat but only has two, fourth-place finishes to show for it so far. But that can be deceiving, as Beyeke was in excellent shape at both the Arnold Classic Brazil and New York Pro and could have easily fared better, especially in Rio di Janeiro.
Now he heads up north and will see a number of familiar faces, some of them belonging to the same men that beat him out already this year. Both Juan Morel and Jon DeLarosa are the favorites headed into Canada and judging by their second and third placings at the aforementioned shows this calendar year, deservingly so. But would anyone be totally shocked if Beyeke dials it in and bests both New Yorkers?
Winning a show like this may be imperative for any of these three men, as none of them have qualified for the Olympia yet. The current points standings have DeLarosa in the lead with 13, Morel right behind him with 11 and Beyeke tied for fifth (after Victor Martinez, 9, and Evan Centopani, 8) along with Cedric McMillan, William Bonac and Fred Smalls. So it behooves Beyeke to punch his ticket for Las Vegas right here and now and give his body enough time to rest and then prep for the biggest show on the IFBB calendar.
If not, he will be chasing points and having to continue on entering contests just to qualify if he does in fact intend on going into the Olympia. But the going gets rougher because after Toronto, only three shows are left – Wings of Strength (July 4-5), Golden State Championships (August 2) and the PBW Championship (August 8-9).
Careers can be so short in the Iron Game and for one that began with so much potential, it is time for Lionel Beyeke to fully realize his.
LIONEL BEYEKE PRO CONTEST HISTORY
2014 IFBB New York Pro - 4th
2014 IFBB Arnold Classic Brazil - 4th
2013 IFBB EVLs Prague Pro - 7th
2013 IFBB Arnold Classic Europe - 9th
2013 IFBB Olympia Weekend - 10th
2013 IFBB Nordic Pro - 2nd
2013 IFBB Dallas Europa Supershow - 3rd
2013 IFBB PBW Tampa Pro - 5th
2013 IFBB Wings of Strength Chicago Pro-Am Extravaganza - 2nd
2012 IFBB Arnold Classic Europe - 11th
2012 IFBB Olympia Weekend - 10th
2012 IFBB Arnold Classic - 6th
2012 IFBB FLEX Pro - 1st
2011 IFBB Toronto Pro Super Show - 2nd
2011 IFBB New York Pro Bodybuilding, Figure & Bikini Championships - 4th
2010 IFBB Phoenix Pro - 6th
05-30-2014
A Win at the 2014 IFBB Toronto Pro Will Go a Long Way
Not too often does finishing out of the top three at a bodybuilding contest garner much attention, but that was exactly the case for Lionel Beyeke at the 2011 New York Pro. The young Frenchman placed fourth in only his second show as a professional that night and there was a lot of buzz in the online forums asking just who was this guy that came out of nowhere and could have easily placed a spot or two higher, even being called a ‘mini Kai Greene,’ who was the eventual winner.
Business seemed to pick up for Beyeke after that, with a runner-up spot later that year at the Toronto Pro, a win at the 2012 FLEX Pro and making the pose down in his inaugural Arnold Classic. But even though Beyeke was successful, the constant criticism being bantered back and forth was his overall conditioning. His physique – while impressive and having symmetry – looked soft in certain areas.
Since then, there have been nights when he was on (second and third, respectively, at the 2013 Wings of Strength and Europa Supershow) and then others when he was off (11[SUP]th[/SUP] at the 2012 Arnold Classic Europe). In his only two Olympias, Beyeke was over matched and was lucky to squeak into the top-10.
In 2014, the 5’10”, 232-pounder has rebounded somewhat but only has two, fourth-place finishes to show for it so far. But that can be deceiving, as Beyeke was in excellent shape at both the Arnold Classic Brazil and New York Pro and could have easily fared better, especially in Rio di Janeiro.
Now he heads up north and will see a number of familiar faces, some of them belonging to the same men that beat him out already this year. Both Juan Morel and Jon DeLarosa are the favorites headed into Canada and judging by their second and third placings at the aforementioned shows this calendar year, deservingly so. But would anyone be totally shocked if Beyeke dials it in and bests both New Yorkers?
Winning a show like this may be imperative for any of these three men, as none of them have qualified for the Olympia yet. The current points standings have DeLarosa in the lead with 13, Morel right behind him with 11 and Beyeke tied for fifth (after Victor Martinez, 9, and Evan Centopani, 8) along with Cedric McMillan, William Bonac and Fred Smalls. So it behooves Beyeke to punch his ticket for Las Vegas right here and now and give his body enough time to rest and then prep for the biggest show on the IFBB calendar.
If not, he will be chasing points and having to continue on entering contests just to qualify if he does in fact intend on going into the Olympia. But the going gets rougher because after Toronto, only three shows are left – Wings of Strength (July 4-5), Golden State Championships (August 2) and the PBW Championship (August 8-9).
Careers can be so short in the Iron Game and for one that began with so much potential, it is time for Lionel Beyeke to fully realize his.
LIONEL BEYEKE PRO CONTEST HISTORY
2014 IFBB New York Pro - 4th
2014 IFBB Arnold Classic Brazil - 4th
2013 IFBB EVLs Prague Pro - 7th
2013 IFBB Arnold Classic Europe - 9th
2013 IFBB Olympia Weekend - 10th
2013 IFBB Nordic Pro - 2nd
2013 IFBB Dallas Europa Supershow - 3rd
2013 IFBB PBW Tampa Pro - 5th
2013 IFBB Wings of Strength Chicago Pro-Am Extravaganza - 2nd
2012 IFBB Arnold Classic Europe - 11th
2012 IFBB Olympia Weekend - 10th
2012 IFBB Arnold Classic - 6th
2012 IFBB FLEX Pro - 1st
2011 IFBB Toronto Pro Super Show - 2nd
2011 IFBB New York Pro Bodybuilding, Figure & Bikini Championships - 4th
2010 IFBB Phoenix Pro - 6th
