MuscleMag’s Craig Richardson wins the 2011 IFBB Toronto Pro

By: Bill Geiger; Photographer: Gregory James

Men’s Open Finals Top 5:

1. Craig Richardson

2. Lionel Beyeke

3. Brandon Curry

4. Frank McGrath

5. Robert Piotrokwicz

It’s been 11 years since Craig Richardson tasted victory, but the New Jersey IFBB pro, who holds down a full-time job as a truant officer, picked up his first pro win at the Toronto Pro on June 18. Craig, who finished second twice during his professional career, edged out the man who beat him just a month before at the New York Pro, France’s Lionel Beyeke. Team MuscleMag-sponsored Richardson gave away a significant size advantage to Beyeke but proved that his sliced-and-diced physique is just as hard as his nickname, “The Diamond.” Another Team MuscleMag sponsored athlete, Brandon Curry from Tennessee, vastly improved from last month’s New York Pro outing and finished third, also his highest-ever pro placing, which qualified him for September’s Mr. Olympia.

At 5’2”, England’s Shaun Joseph-Tavarnier may have been the shortest man onstage but he was the most densely muscled, inch for inch, and beat out hometown favorite Mboya Edwards for the 202 title.

Tagged: 2011, Craig Richardson, Events, Toronto Pro | Follow @MuscleMag