Ranking the all-time greatest Nationals champions
By Shawn Perine
November 11, 2009
FLEXONLINE.COM
As we approach the 2009 NPC Nationals, to be held at the Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa in Hollywood, Florida on
November 20-21, it's a fitting time to look back on past Nationals
competitions, and more specifically, past Nationals winners.
We've ranked the ten greatest Nationals champs, taking into account IFBB pro contest wins and top three finishes, Olympia placings and general impact on the sport. We hope you'll disagree with at least a few of our placings and let us know why on the FLEX Forums.
Also be sure to check out up-to-the-minute coverage of the 2009 NPC Nationals, beginning November 19 with news, notes and photos, right here at flexonline.com!
10. Johnnie Jackson (2001 Light-heavyweight and overall)
With two pro wins to his credit — 2006 Montreal Pro Championships and 2007 Atlantic City Pro — and a slew of 2nd and 3rd place finishes to boot, Jackson has established himself as a formidable competitor in the
first decade of the 21st century, not to mention being quite possibly the
strongest bodybuilder of all time.
9. Bob Paris (1983 Heavyweight and overall)
Although he never won a pro show and couldn't manage higher than seventh at an
Olympia (1984), Paris raised the bar for bodybuilding aesthetics that was
set more than three decades earlier by Steve Reeves. In fact, a few years ago
FLEX magazine ranked Paris as the most aesthetic bodybuilder of all time.
8. Toney Freeman (2002 Super-heavyweight and overall)
Winner of six IFBB pro contests — the latest being the '09 Sacramento Pro Championships — Freeman took a few years after turning pro to come into his own as a big leaguer, but by 2006 it was full speed ahead. In 2008, Freeman placed fifth at the Olympia in what many consider his all-time best form. At age 43 he still believes his best days lie ahead.
7. Mike Francois (1993 Heavyweight and overall)
After earning pro status at the 1993 Nationals, Francois entered the IFBB Pro
division with guns ablazin', earning victories in the first four shows he
entered (1994 Chicago Pro Invitational, '94 Night of Champions, '95 Arnold Classic and the '94 San Jose Pro Invitational). Unfortunately, he would retire less than five years after turning
pro and could only manage a highwater mark of seventh at the Olympia, in
1995. As much as anyone in bodybuilding history, the words "What if?" often
accompany Francois's name.
6. Victor Martinez (2000 Heavyweight and overall)
Like Freeman, it took Martinez a few years to hit his stride as a pro,
but since he did he's maintained it. With three IFBB pro wins under his
belt — 2003 Night of Champions, '04 GNC Show of Strength Pro Championships and '07 Arnold Classic — and a third and second place finish
at the Olympia (in '06 and '07, respectively), Martinez is one of this era's best. Although this past year
was a difficult one for the Muscle Maker Grill owner, fans expect a return
to top form for the Dominican Dominator in '10.
CONTINUE TO THE TOP 5 GREATEST NATIONALS CHAMPS
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