Toney Freeman
Encyclopedia
Toney Freeman is an American IFBB
professional bodybuilder
and brand ambassador residing in Atlanta, Georgia (U.S.)
.
, and Robert Kennedy's Musclemag.
Freeman did not become a competitive bodybuilder professional until his late 30s because for many years it was a hobby and the sport was dominated by his idols Lee Haney
, Dorian Yates
. It took him many years to fill out his large frame and he was mentored by Dave Palumbo to become a professional. Freeman's first (National Physique Committee (NPC)
) competition was in 1993, where he won the heavyweight class of the NPC Junior Nationals. His first IFBB event was the Night of Champions
competition, where he placed 11th. His first Arnold Classic
was in 2005, where he placed 10th. His first Ironman Pro Invitational
was in 2006, where he placed 7th. His first Mr. Olympia
appearance was in 2006, where he placed 7th. In 2007 he won the Ironman Pro, Sacramento Pro and placed 3rd at the Arnold Classic. He made the top 5 at the 2008 Mr.Olympia.
during a promotional appearance in a local store. The police knew Freeman and other international bodybuilders were coming to Sweden for a fitness festival from promotional posters. According to Freeman, he was taken to the police station and was denied a legal representative and forced to give a urine sample. Reports allege that Freeman tested positive for testosterone
, human growth hormone, and cannabis. He was released the same day with no charge. On New Year's Eve 2010, Freeman responded to the allegations with an official statement
and a video in which he emphasized he had not been treated properly by being denied an advocate or communication with the U.S. embassy.
, a profiling
method used by Swedish police in which suspicion of performance enhancing drug use is based solely on physical appearance. The possession of such substances as steroids is illegal in Sweden. According to those who have been arrested in this manner, this means police use the size and appearance of the bodybuilder to justify arrest, then aim to prove their case with blood or urine samples taken at the station. Police staff Henrik Blusi generalized the actions against Freeman to professional bodybuilders saying "If you are a professional bodybuilder you should not come to Sundsvall. We are very well informed here. We are currently conducting the largest doping trial in Europe, and then one should understand that we have an eye out for these things now".
International Federation of BodyBuilders
The International Federation of BodyBuilders is a competitive bodybuilding organization founded in 1946 by brothers Ben and Joe Weider and is the highest level of competitive bodybuilding in the world. Currently, the IFBB consists of seven different sub-divisions for different competitors ,...
professional bodybuilder
Bodybuilding
Bodybuilding is a form of body modification involving intensive muscle hypertrophy. An individual who engages in this activity is referred to as a bodybuilder. In competitive and professional bodybuilding, bodybuilders display their physiques to a panel of judges, who assign points based on their...
and brand ambassador residing in Atlanta, Georgia (U.S.)
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
.
Biography
Toney Freeman's nickname is the X Man because his body characterises the X-frame of classical bodybuilding: broad shoulders, narrow waist, and flaring thighs. He featured on the cover and pages of FLEX Magazine, Muscular DevelopmentMuscular Development
Muscular Development is an American fitness and bodybuilding magazine first published in 1964. It was founded by Bob HoffmanBob Hoffman - athlete, nutritionist, weightlifter, coach and philanthropist - was born on a farm in Tifton, Georgia on Nov 9th 1898. His family stock was good. Bob was never...
, and Robert Kennedy's Musclemag.
Freeman did not become a competitive bodybuilder professional until his late 30s because for many years it was a hobby and the sport was dominated by his idols Lee Haney
Lee Haney
Lee Haney , is a former American IFBB professional bodybuilder most famous for being the current joint record holder, along with Ronnie Coleman, for winning the most Mr...
, Dorian Yates
Dorian Yates
Dorian Andrew Mientjez Yates , is an English professional bodybuilder, winning the Mr. Olympia title six consecutive times beginning in 1992. He is fourth on the list of most Olympias won, and out of the seven in which he competed, he won six and placed second in his debut...
. It took him many years to fill out his large frame and he was mentored by Dave Palumbo to become a professional. Freeman's first (National Physique Committee (NPC)
National Physique Committee
The National Physique Committee is the largest amateur bodybuilding organization in the United States. Amateur bodybuilders compete in various competitions from local to national competitions sanctioned by the NPC...
) competition was in 1993, where he won the heavyweight class of the NPC Junior Nationals. His first IFBB event was the Night of Champions
Night of Champions
Night of Champions is a bodybuilding contest held every year in New York City, USA. It began in 1978 and is considered one of the top professional bodybuilding events, with the top five finalists qualifying for the Mr. Olympia contest....
competition, where he placed 11th. His first Arnold Classic
Arnold Classic
The Arnold Classic, renamed Arnold Fitness Weekend, is an annual bodybuilding competition, named after Arnold Schwarzenegger. It takes place in late February or early March in Columbus, Ohio, United States.-History:...
was in 2005, where he placed 10th. His first Ironman Pro Invitational
Ironman Pro Invitational
The Ironman Pro Invitational is a IFBB bodybuilding contest held every year. It began in 1990 and is considered one of the top professional bodybuilding events, with the top five finalists qualifying for the Mr. Olympia contest....
was in 2006, where he placed 7th. His first Mr. Olympia
Mr. Olympia
Mr. Olympia is the title awarded to the winner of the professional men's bodybuilding contest at Joe Weider's Olympia Weekend - an international bodybuilding competition that is held annually by the International Federation of BodyBuilding & Fitness . Joe Weider created the contest to enable the...
appearance was in 2006, where he placed 7th. In 2007 he won the Ironman Pro, Sacramento Pro and placed 3rd at the Arnold Classic. He made the top 5 at the 2008 Mr.Olympia.
Arrest in Sweden
On the 8 December 2010, on a visit to Sweden, Freeman was escorted by the police from Sundsvall (Sweden)Sundsvall
-External links:* - Official site from Nordisk Familjebok - Sundsvalls tourist information bureau. - The alternative guide to Sundsvall. - Blog with photos from Sundsvall....
during a promotional appearance in a local store. The police knew Freeman and other international bodybuilders were coming to Sweden for a fitness festival from promotional posters. According to Freeman, he was taken to the police station and was denied a legal representative and forced to give a urine sample. Reports allege that Freeman tested positive for testosterone
Testosterone
Testosterone is a steroid hormone from the androgen group and is found in mammals, reptiles, birds, and other vertebrates. In mammals, testosterone is primarily secreted in the testes of males and the ovaries of females, although small amounts are also secreted by the adrenal glands...
, human growth hormone, and cannabis. He was released the same day with no charge. On New Year's Eve 2010, Freeman responded to the allegations with an official statement
and a video in which he emphasized he had not been treated properly by being denied an advocate or communication with the U.S. embassy.
Muscle profiling controversy
With the arrest, Freeman became the first international professional bodybuilder to be arrested by the Swedish police under muscle profilingProfiling
Profiling, the extrapolation of information about something, based on known qualities, may refer specifically to:* Profiling practices * Forensic profiling, used in several types of forensic sciences* Offender profiling...
, a profiling
Profiling
Profiling, the extrapolation of information about something, based on known qualities, may refer specifically to:* Profiling practices * Forensic profiling, used in several types of forensic sciences* Offender profiling...
method used by Swedish police in which suspicion of performance enhancing drug use is based solely on physical appearance. The possession of such substances as steroids is illegal in Sweden. According to those who have been arrested in this manner, this means police use the size and appearance of the bodybuilder to justify arrest, then aim to prove their case with blood or urine samples taken at the station. Police staff Henrik Blusi generalized the actions against Freeman to professional bodybuilders saying "If you are a professional bodybuilder you should not come to Sundsvall. We are very well informed here. We are currently conducting the largest doping trial in Europe, and then one should understand that we have an eye out for these things now".
Stats
- Height: 6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
- Competition weight: 295 lbs.
- Off-season weight: 305 lbs.
- Waist: 31 in (79 cm)
Competitive history
- 1990 AAUAmateur Athletic UnionThe Amateur Athletic Union is one of the largest non-profit volunteer sports organizations in the United States. A multi-sport organization, the AAU is dedicated exclusively to the promotion and development of amateur sports and physical fitness programs.-History:The AAU was founded in 1888 to...
Junior Mr America, Tall, 4th - 1993 NPCNational Physique CommitteeThe National Physique Committee is the largest amateur bodybuilding organization in the United States. Amateur bodybuilders compete in various competitions from local to national competitions sanctioned by the NPC...
Junior Nationals, HeavyWeight, 1st - 1993 NPC Nationals, HeavyWeight, 6th
- 1994 NPC Nationals, HeavyWeight, 4th
- 1995 NPC Nationals, HeavyWeight, 4th
- 2001 NPC Coastal USA Championships, Super-HeavyWeight, 2nd
- 2001 NPC Nationals, Super-HeavyWeight, 8th
- 2002 NPC Nationals, Super-HeavyWeight, 1st and Overall
- 2003 IFBB Night of ChampionsNight of ChampionsNight of Champions is a bodybuilding contest held every year in New York City, USA. It began in 1978 and is considered one of the top professional bodybuilding events, with the top five finalists qualifying for the Mr. Olympia contest....
, 11th - 2003 IFBB Show of Strength Pro Championship, 9th
- 2004 IFBB Night of Champions, 10th
- 2004 IFBB Show of Strength Pro ChampionshipShow of Strength Pro ChampionshipThe Show of Strength Pro Championship is a professional bodybuilding contest, as well as separate fitness and figure competitions traditionally sponsored by nutrition store chain GNC.As of 2005, the Show of Strength was cancelled.-Winners:...
, 8th - 2005 IFBB Arnold ClassicArnold ClassicThe Arnold Classic, renamed Arnold Fitness Weekend, is an annual bodybuilding competition, named after Arnold Schwarzenegger. It takes place in late February or early March in Columbus, Ohio, United States.-History:...
, 10th - 2006 IFBB Arnold Classic, 9th
- 2006 IFBB Ironman Pro InvitationalIronman Pro InvitationalThe Ironman Pro Invitational is a IFBB bodybuilding contest held every year. It began in 1990 and is considered one of the top professional bodybuilding events, with the top five finalists qualifying for the Mr. Olympia contest....
, 7th - 2006 IFBB San Francisco Pro InvitationalSan Francisco Pro InvitationalThe San Francisco Pro Invitational is an IFBB professional bodybuilding contest.-Winners:-See also:*List of male professional bodybuilders*List of female professional bodybuilders...
, 5th - 2006 IFBB Europa Super Show, 1st
- 2006 IFBB Mr Olympia, 7th
- 2007 IFBB Ironman Pro InvitationalIronman Pro InvitationalThe Ironman Pro Invitational is a IFBB bodybuilding contest held every year. It began in 1990 and is considered one of the top professional bodybuilding events, with the top five finalists qualifying for the Mr. Olympia contest....
, 1st - 2007 IFBB Sacramento Pro, 1st
- 2007 IFBB Arnold Classic, 3rd
- 2007 IFBB Mr Olympia, 14th
- 2008 IFBB Ironman Pro InvitationalIronman Pro InvitationalThe Ironman Pro Invitational is a IFBB bodybuilding contest held every year. It began in 1990 and is considered one of the top professional bodybuilding events, with the top five finalists qualifying for the Mr. Olympia contest....
, 8th - 2008 IFBB Arnold Classic, 7th
- 2008 IFBB Australian Pro Grand Prix, 4th
- 2008 IFBB Tampa Bay Pro, 1st
- 2008 IFBB Europa Super Show, 1st
- 2008 IFBB Mr Olympia, 5th
- 2009 IFBB Arnold Classic, 4th
- 2009 IFBB Australian Pro, 3rd
- 2009 IFBB Mr Olympia, 8th
- 2010 IFBB Mr Olympia, 9th
- 2010 IFBB Phoenix Pro, 3rd
- 2011 IFBB Arnold Classic, 9th
- 2011 IFBB British Grand Prix, 6th
- 2011 IFBB Mr Europe Grand Prix, 5th
- 2011 IFBB Hartford Europa Battle of Champions, 6th
- 2011 IFBB Europa Super Show (Dallas), 1st
- 2011 IFBB Mr Olympia, 7th