Bodybuilding.com - An Interview With First Time Iron Man Competitor, Roc Shabazz.

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Did you know?
Rock will do the Sacramento Pro the weekend after and the Arnold depending on where he places at the Sacramento show.

In this great interview Roc Shabazz, the 2004 Nationals light-heavyweight winner, says he will do very well at the Iron Man... On February 17, he will be out to prove he is among the sports very best. Learn more.

An Interview With First Time Iron Man Competitor, Roc Shabazz.

By: David Robson

This year's Iron Man Pro will signal the debut of a man who, with generous balanced size on his 5'5" fame, shows all the signs of making a major impact and upsetting the established order among bodybuilding's elite.

Roc Shabazz, the 2004 Nationals light-heavyweight winner, says he will do very well at the Iron Man based on several improvements he has made, including five pounds of muscle and greater definition compared to previous outings.

Although Roc has it all, one is drawn to his impossibly small waist and a back that belongs on the largest of super heavyweights. Judging by recent photos, Roc looks ready to do some damage. On February 17, he will be out to prove he is among the sports very best.

[ Q ] How do you feel this far out from the Iron Man Pro?

Physically I feel I have been working really hard and my body is in tune with that. Mentally I feel prepared and that I did all my homework and that I should do very well.

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Branch Warren & Roc Shabazz.

[ Q ] What are your goals for this show?

My goal is to win the Iron Man Pro.

[ Q ] Realistically, how do you feel you will stack up against the other competitors? What will be your main strength?

I feel the competitors will have to match up with me. I've always trained to be better than my last show (my last show being the San Francisco Pro). I'm five pounds heavier and I am in the condition that I was in at the 2004 NPC Nationals right now and I'm not dried out. I should do very well.

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Roc Shabazz & Lee Priest.

[ Q ] What do you like about competing in the Iron Man Pro? As a pro bodybuilder, what is the significance of doing well in this show?

This is my first time competing in the Iron Man Pro. As a pro bodybuilder, it is the first show of the year to see how your physique stacks up against rest of the Pros throughout the year. There have always been great photos taken at the Iron Man Pro, great lighting and it will just be a great experience competing in the first show of the year.

[ Q ] What have been your training and nutritional strategies this time around?

The same, I don't change anything.

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Roc Shabazz.

[ Q ] Explain your diet leading up to this show?

Basically just monitored my body. Manipulated my carbohydrates when I needed to. Increased my cardio when I thought fit. I keep my protein very high (around 400 -425 per day). I kept my training the same.

[ Q ] Did you do anything differently to prepare for this show?

No. Everything is the same. I worked harder and started a little earlier, but stayed with the same game plan.

[ Q ] What improvements have you made since your last show?

My condition is tighter, back is thicker. Everything else is balanced. I always train for balance.

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Roc Shabazz.

[ Q ] How would you describe the way your physique looks right now?

Contest ready. My condition is better now than it was on stage at the San Francisco. I was able to obtain that by starting a little earlier. By contest time I will be tighter than I was at the NPC Nationals.

[ Q ] What can the fans expect to see from you onstage at the Iron Man?

A physique they can appreciate. One that is obtainable through hard work and great to look at. Nice skin, small waist line, nice muscle bellies on a shorter frame.

[ Q ] Who do you see as being your biggest competition?

If I compete against other people I wouldn't be able to compete. I always compete against myself. If I can bring my "A" game and I am the best that I can possibly be, with the completeness that my physique has, I know that I should do well, because I'm not missing anything.

I've got good calves, good hamstrings, cross-striations in the quads, big chest, nice arms, capped off shoulders, small waist line and a thick back. So, just need to bring in my "A" game.

[ Q ] What other pro shows do you plan to enter this year?

I will do the Sacramento Pro the weekend after and the Arnold depending on where I place at the Sacramento.

[ Q ] Any final thoughts on your 2007 Iron Man showing?

I'm not making any predictions and I'm not talking any trash, but the physique that I will bring to the 2007 Iron Man Pro will be a good physique. A lot of people will like it and I hope the judges appreciate it. I should do very well.