Nick Morano: Arnold Amateur

Hoping to do better in the welterweight class at the 2011 Arnold Amateurs (he didn't place in 2010), Ohio's Nick Morano. Morano, a former Marine and ERT is currently studying to get his bachelors in nursing while training part time for Your Style Fitness.

In 2010 Morano was 2nd in his class at the NPC Pittsburgh Championships:



See more of Nick at North American Bodies.

Neil Gardner: Arnold Amateur

Another Aussie (well British ex-pat) with a sense of humor, Lightweight competitor Neil Gardner, the 5'2" "MonstaDwarf."



The 44 year old owner of the Winning Physique Gym in Ferntree Gully, Victoria has actually competed in the IFBB pro ranks in the days before the 202 class. Consequently being a smaller guy he didn't place at the 2005 IFBB Charlotte Pro (routine below) or 2005 New York pro, was 7th at that year's Australian Grand Prix (which was won by Lee Priest), didn't place at the show in 2006 and then came 11th in 2007 (which was won by Dexter Jackson).



As an amateur Neil has competed in numerous World Amateur Championships, including the 2009 (he was 7th) and 2010 (he was 12th), and of course many Australian show. As a couple of example he placed 2nd at the 2008 Australian Bodybuilding Championships (clip below) and won the under 70kgs class at the 2010 IFBB Nationals & NSW bodybuilding championships held last October.





Neil was on the cover of the November issue of Hardcore Aussie Muscle and also appeared in LIFE Magazine in a 2007 IFBB Australian Bodybuilding Grand Prix VII spread.

Matus Valent #2

Part 2 of Matus' workout

Timuçin Canel: Arnold Amateur

118kgs (259.6lbs) at 6 days out from the Arnold Amateur, 36 year old personal trainer Timuçin Canel the superheavy from Istanbul, Turkey.



See more of Timuçin at the Gürel Özgür Body Building Forums, but here's how he was looking at a month out:





Timuçin was unsuccessful at both the 2007 and 2008 NAC Universe, failing to place at either competition, and was 13th at the 2009 World Amateurs after winning the supers at that year's Turkish championships.

Here are some other competitive shots from 2009 and 2010 and a clip from back in 2007: