FLEX:
What does the 202-pound class do for
you in terms of giving you something
to shoot for?
BC: In the open class I was always just
right outside of the top five, I was
in the top five only once in the past
few years. I think it definitely gives
me an edge. The bigger guys, even though
pound for pound we may be about the
same size or I may even be a little
bit thicker, when they're 5-8 or 5-10
it's a little more impressive. But I
think the 202-pound class gives me a
level playing field.
FLEX: Looking at this 202-pound class,
which of the guys jumps out at you as
entering this show as the favorite?
BC: I know there are a lot of people
talking about Charles Dixon, but after
looking at pictures I'd honestly have
to say I'm not as worried about him.
The pictures I saw, he was pretty soft
from the back. The first name that would
jump into my head is David Henry. Seeing
as though he had a reputation - had
as in past tense - of always being in
good shape. This year he's kind of missed
the mark. But that's not to say that
he won't come in shredded. Charles Dixon
is coming off a high at the [2007] Nationals
but he still hasn't competed in the
IFBB, so he still has some bumps and
bruises to take along the way. Whereas
David Henry is a pro. So I would venture
to say David Henry is going to be more
of a battle than Charles Dixon.
FLEX: Make a case for why Brian Chamberlain
beats David Henry and wins the 202-pound
class.
BC: I'm a few inches shorter but I
compete just as heavy so I think I'm
going to appear thicker. I'm pretty
hungry. I paid my dues and I haven't
gotten any reward yet. I would say
the lion climbing the mountain is
a little hungrier than the one on
top.
FLEX: Let's say you win the 202 class.
Does that put you in position to crack
the top three or top five of the main
show and earn an Olympia qualification?
BC: I think it should definitely play
a part. New York this year, the lineup
isn't quite what it was in previous
years. With that being said, there
is room for a lot of the newer guys
to advance and get into that top five
spot. I've made first callouts at
almost every show I've competed at
except for the [2007] Keystone, but
I never got placed [in the top five].
Hopefully the added advantage of being
seen at the 202 class will keep me
in the minds of the judges, so when
the top five in the open class are
being pulled out they will give me
a second look and maybe I can pop
in there.
FLEX: You're not going to have a
whole lot of time to recover between
the 202-pound show and the main show
on Saturday. Could that potentially
hurt you if your number gets called
often in both?
BC: No, I think it only stand to gain
by being seen more and being kept
out in the callouts more. That can
only help in my mind.
FLEX: Give me a prediction on who
will be fighting for that top spot
in the 202-pound class. BC: Jason
Arntz is another guy who won his class
at the Nationals just like Charles
Dixon has. Bodybuilding is a funny
game, anybody comes in and is on their
mark - it doesn't matter who they
are or where they came from. If they're
better they're better. So my prediction
for top three would be myself, David
Henry and probably Jason Arntz.
