My prediction- Mark Erpelding wins the CAL

Alex A · May 29, 2010

Friend of mine Mark Erpelding is coming off an overall win at the Excalibur this past year and will be competing at the Cal this saturday.

I just saw him at registration tonight and hes my pick to take the show.

I know Mark well and he didnt come out here to lose... But lets see if my prediction comes through..

Mark in 2005 took the lightheavyweight class at the North American. also placed 3rd at the nationals that year

then had some sub par placings at the nationals and USA, but won the overall at the Excalibur earlier in the year. The dude has some sick wheels and arms! if he doesnt win the show, i would be surprised.

leanbody · May 29, 2010

Oh yeah - looks like he does a little work on the calves and quads alright.... I'll be interested to see what his conditioning is for this Sat. BTW U know his stats? - what age he is?

gonenatty · May 29, 2010

Alex,
I used to train with Mark back from 2004-2006. He's a great guy and even better training partner. I can personally say that he is serious when it comes to bodybuilding and training. I hope he wins! I keep in touch with him every once in a while. I think I'll give him a call today and I'll post up what he says about the upcoming show.

BuffD · May 29, 2010

I met Mark a couple of times when we competed against on another. He's a cool guy. He just needs to really hit his conditioning to win. He isn't missing anything just that he hasn't been shredded.

Alex A · May 29, 2010

Mark is not a tall guy, carries a lot of muscle and should have stuck to the light heavies...

his condition needs to be much improved. if he nails his conditon pretty god he will be tough to beat. but hes a good looking guy with a nice all around look, huge arms and wheels.. should battle hard..

although there is a super heavy named Hannes Fristch that will give him a hard time..

He recently won two overalls at the orange county and musclecontest show

Shelby · May 29, 2010

Some good shots of Mark from last year

Shelby · May 29, 2010

Alex A · May 30, 2010

I like Mark for the win but could have his hands full with haans ....If mark comes in Hard.. its his... this guy haans is not too shabby for a tall super with two recent overalls. but not a national competitor like Mark.. I think mark will pull it off!

PHIL HERNON · May 30, 2010

Alex

Did you see pre judge? Justin is in the heavies........did you see him and where do you think he will place?

juiceddunk · May 30, 2010

justin...harris?? I've met Mark a few times and he is a good guy who has been at it for a while. Would not be surprised if he takes this show. Any updates??

PHIL HERNON · May 30, 2010

No

juiceddunk said:
justin...harris?? I've met Mark a few times and he is a good guy who has been at it for a while. Would not be surprised if he takes this show. Any updates??

Justin Bearce

Alex A · May 30, 2010

PHIL HERNON said:
Justin Bearce

Justin used to work as a trainer for the gym I train at North Hollywood Golds....

Last year.. He did the Excalibur and i know he was dissapointed.

Im pretty sure his placing was 11th. Im not putting the guy down..... but i dont think its a good idea to not show up to the night show and not pose just because your didnt get a good callout. This isnt the nationals, everyone gets to pose at these regional shows.

Hes a nice guy.. I used to see him all the time at the gym getting ready for the show, but his condition to me, seemed way off...Plus hes a little tall for the heavyweights... and im not going by rumor, i was sittting front row watching the show.
Plus when he was getting ready for the excalibur, i was getting ready for the nationals at the same time... I used to see him a lot..anyways...after the excalibur i never saw him at the gym again.

I did see him at the show this morning , but i dont remember how he faired in the class..

It was a big show, but honestly not like the Cals of the past.. My true belief is because Jon lindsay promotes so many other big shows that The cal is not the prestige show it used to be.. The Excalibur and LA are. but the cal is still up there.

The LA is huge because its one week before the USA and the Excalibur because its two weeks after the nationals and the last show of the year to qualify for next year... But the cal still is a great show.

I will let you know of his placing and overall asap! within minutes

The bad thing is there wont be any pics of justin because he didnt sign up for the contest photos ... So there wont be but two or 3 posted later in the week.

The competitors that signed up for the pictures get their comparissons shot from the morning, routines shot at night by the two contest photographers and the pics are up and posted on Musclecontest.com by sunday evenining, plus those competitors get a CD of all their stage shots...

MD is not covering the shows here anymore the same photographers now work for Musclecontest.com and Jon Lindsay.

and actually justin looked great.. placed 3rd..

GerryT · Jun 1, 2010

Was wondering what happened to Mark. Great guy. Glad he is looking and doing so well. Alex, please give him my best.

And Alex, hope you and Nga and the family aredoing well. Hopefully, we'll catch up soon.

Thebigone · Jun 2, 2010

Damn now Mark is a true Mesomorph. In fact if you look up Mesomorph in the dictionary it should just have that front double bi pic of him.

Mike Hunt · Jun 3, 2010

mark should be happy, totally gave that show to him

hes hanys athlete and guess who the head judge was? tamer el guindy.

im not just spitting shit out my ass, if you look at the pics from musclecontest.com and look at the 2nd place heavy wgt (josh i think his name is) had him beat, yeah not as big but his condition was sick!

but thats not the kicker, the light heavy should have won hands down. an ngyuen is a beast. the guy is thick as hell and was the best conditioned guy in the show.

go look at the pics for yourself peeps and draw your own conclusions. mark definately has some size and has potential to do very well, but this show i feel he was not his best and was beaten by the 2nd place heavy weight and for sure the light heavy winner.

The Tadster · Jun 7, 2010

Mike Hunt said:
mark should be happy, totally gave that show to him

hes hanys athlete and guess who the head judge was? tamer el guindy.

im not just spitting shit out my ass, if you look at the pics from musclecontest.com and look at the 2nd place heavy wgt (josh i think his name is) had him beat, yeah not as big but his condition was sick!

but thats not the kicker, the light heavy should have won hands down. an ngyuen is a beast. the guy is thick as hell and was the best conditioned guy in the show.

go look at the pics for yourself peeps and draw your own conclusions. mark definately has some size and has potential to do very well, but this show i feel he was not his best and was beaten by the 2nd place heavy weight and for sure the light heavy winner.

I have to agree with this, I am a little bias because I am An's diet coach. I felt An had Mark beat on conditioning and symmetry. When I spoke with Tamer after the show he felt the decision could have either way but it just fell on Mark that night. In Marks defense, he was thicker and had a bit more muscle. This is the best I have seen Mark look in the past few years. I know Mark, he approached me to work with him a year and a half ago just didn't workout. Judging from what I saw Mark looked better but was far from impressing me with improvements.

I will bring An into the USA's better and tighter. Watchout!