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1 Peter 2:12 
...they may see your good deeds and glorify GOD
 

Enter the Vosgian-Beast
and interview with
Raphael Lapoirie

Tuesday September 19th at around 7:30 pm . I get a call on my cell phone interrupting both my professor in school and my sleep. It was Dr. Richard Brown, the Head of the USPF and Judge for the new Pro Division Inc. “Troy, you gotta’ stop by the gym around 6:30 Friday. And bring your camera”

Rich seemed excited, I knew that whatever he had in store was well worth the excitement.

When I got to the gym it appeared deserted, only a slight of build young lady stood behind the counter.

As I got closer to the counter I could see the head of a man in what seem to be deep thought behind the computer. He looked up at me and spoke with a thick French accent. “Hello there” Immediately I realized why Dr. Brown had summoned me to the gym. This was interview time.

Raphael Lapoirie,   Pro Division Inc competitor was sitting at the computer and there was no one there but me. In bodybuilding getting free time to do an interview is almost impossible so I jumped at this opportunity.

After the Interview Raphael, went through a back workout and a short photo session.  The following is how I recall the events.

Fire Iron Magazine: When and where were you born?
RL: I was born in France in a town called Epinal

FIM : Were you always naturally muscular or was it something you had to work at from scratch?
RL: I have been training for 20 years since I was 14 years old. I think when I started; I looked just like any other 14 year old.

FIM : So as a kid you just walked into the nearest gym?
RL: No there are not as many hardcore gyms in France as there is here, (the US) most gyms are fitness gyms, it very hard to find many gyms with free weight and heavy dumbbells

FIM : So you are saying that you got as big and strong as you at a fitness spa? RL: No we have hardcore gyms just not as many,

FIM: I notice that many of the European bodybuilders are shapelier not as big as here. What is the big difference?
RL: Most people don’t want to be as big as Ronnie Coleman or Jay Cutler, people want to look at a bodybuilder in a magazine or on stage and say “I can achieve that; I can be just like him.” With the PDI (Pro Division Inc) changing the judging criteria. I think the IFBB has got to ask itself some real questions about how judging is being done now.

FIM: Yes but isn’t the IFBB the dominating force around the world?
RL: Not in France its (he give it a big thumbs down) There are many bodybuilding organizations and the people are not interested in the IFBB that is why I choose the PDI to me it is much better.

FIM: Speaking of PDI you came here to compete in the Night of Champions am I correct?
RL: Yes, it was my first pro contest, I came in 13^th which is pretty good but I still have a way to go.

FIM So you have another contests scheduled?
RL: Yes the 27^th of October I will be in Great Britain for the British Night of Champion.

FIM : What was the most memorable competition you ever competed in? Why?
RL: It may not have been a contest but a group of contest. I was the WPF Mr. Universe 5 times and was vice-champion twice. That was very exciting to me.

FIM : Who is this lovely lady with you?
RL: Her name is Christelle, (pronounce crystal) she is my support, not just for contest but also she support my diet and other things.

FIM : Yeah,  behind every good man there is a good women. If you could change anything about bodybuilding what would it be?
I thought  this being the easiest questions would be answered in seconds. Raphael looked from the computer behind the reception’s desk then spoke in French to his beautiful companion.
RL: Wow, that’s a very difficult question, What would I change?

FIM :Before I could get an answer Dr. Brown came into the gym, and my interview was over

Check out Raphael's forum click here